Life Simulation: Add Tags Starting with Wellness Technique
Waking up, Han Zhao transmigrated to a world where the kingdoms competed for supremacy and the demons were rampant. The Divine Warrior Family stood high above the world, and the Spiritual Beast Family overlooked all living beings. The Martial Dao system was broken and declining. Han Zhao had mediocre qualifications but was armed with a prompt simulator. After the kryptonite simulation, he could choose one of three choices: [word, [attribute points, and [life experience]. [You practice martial arts for eight years and barely get started. At twenty-five years old, you marry a wife and have a child. At the age of fifty, you die of illness.] [You have been practicing martial arts for one year and have successfully started. Twenty-two years old, in an open fight between gangs, you are seriously injured and die of poisoning.] … [Life Simulation]： Basic entry, simulate future life once. [Blade and Sword Dual Mastery: White word entry, triple the qualification of blade and sword dao. [Basic Master]： Green entry, double the speed of basic martial arts cultivation, and greatly increases the probability of breaking through the upper limit. [Late Bloomer: Blue entry, qualification increases with age. [Body Refining Maniac]： Purple entry, a huge breakthrough in cultivating body refining techniques. [Dan Dao Sag]： Orange entry, the qualification of alchemy is increased a hundred times. [Immortal Posture: Red entry, looks more and more beautiful, and has a charming effect on the opposite sex. … [The 72nd level of the Nourishing Health Skill; special effects: strong body (hidden special effects: immortality, sun true astral, nirvana holy body, five-color divine light…)] As long as there were enough entries, the mediocre power and simple and easy-to-learn nourishment techniques could be practiced to become a supreme martial art.
Life Simulation: Add Tags Starting with Wellness Technique #Chapter 1 - Read Life Simulation: Add Tags Starting with Wellness Technique Chapter 1 Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 1
It hurts! It hurts too much!
Han Zhao, who was fast asleep, felt a bone-chilling pain in his body, especially in his heart. It was as if he was hugging a block of ice in the middle of winter.
In his daze, he wanted to get up, but he felt that his body was numb and he could not move. He did not even have the strength to open his eyes.
What happened?
Was he possessed?
Was he going to die?
Han Zhao swore that he would never stay up late again.
Suddenly, he realized that his body could move.
When he opened his eyes, his vision was blurry.
"Is it still nighttime?" Han Zhao reached for the bed, wanting to look at the time on his phone.
When did Simmons become a wooden bed?
He froze. His head felt as if someone had hit it hard. Memories that didn't belong to him flashed through his mind like a slide show.
Han Zhao had the same name as him. He was 16 years old this year and was from Great Wei's Cloud Prefecture, Yuan Chang County, Blackrock City.
His father, Han Lin, was the second-in-command of the Fuyuan Escort Agency in the city. He had an elder brother called Han Cheng who had gone out to travel when Han Zhao was six years old. There was no news of him and he had yet to return.
"Huh?!" Soon, a handsome middle-aged man appeared in Han Zhao's memory. It was Han Lin.
Han Lin returned home with a pale face and said that he did not have long to live. Then, he handed a package to the previous Han Zhao.
The package contained some silver, two pamphlets, and a pitch-black bead.
After Han Lin gave a few simple instructions, he left in a hurry.
When his predecessor picked up the black bead, he accidentally touched the wound left behind by a knife cut. A large amount of Yin energy entered his body and he died in the end.
The memory fragments stopped here.
Han Zhao was shocked. There was something deadly on the bed.
No wonder he felt a bone-chilling cold in his chest at first. It was because of the bead.
He pushed himself up from the bed and struggled to sit up.
Then, he got out of bed and went to the square table. He found a match and lit the oil lamp.
The faint yellow flames immediately dispersed the darkness around him, giving him a sense of security.
In front of him was a simple wooden bed with a quilt on it. About a meter apart on the right was another wooden bed.
Behind the table was a clay stove. He had seen it at his grandmother's house when he was young. He had even shouted that he wanted to add firewood to play.
Han Zhao took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.
How did he transmigrate after staying up all night?!
However, it seemed alright for a 26-year-old worker to become a 16-year-old teenager.
Han Zhao picked up the oil lamp and walked to the bed. There was an open package beside the cloth, and a black bead was lying inside.
He focused his gaze and sized up this dangerous thing.
At this moment, a light blue frame appeared in his vision. There was a line of small words inside:
[It's a bead that contains Yin energy. If an ordinary person touches it, it will cause Yin energy to enter their body. If it's light, they will be infected with an illness. If it's serious, they will die. Now that the bead has absorbed enough Yang energy, it's not a big threat. However, it's best not to carry it with you. It'll cause kidney deficiency and provoke dirty things.]
"This is…" Han Zhao was stunned.
He then shifted his gaze to the white booklet. On the cover, there were the words 'Thousand Silk Guide'.
[Thousand Silk Guide, a rather superficial external cultivation method. It lacks the basic diagram for Internal Force cultivation. With your talent, it's not recommended to cultivate it.]
The last sentence was completely unnecessary… Han Zhao felt like he had been dealt a blow.
Han Lin's cultivation technique was actually only a superficial one.
Then, he looked at the green booklet.
[A basic method for internal cultivation. It can cultivate true qi and has the effect of extending one's lifespan and strengthening one's body. With your aptitude, if you cultivate diligently for 60 years, you have a chance of succeeding. At that time, you can increase your lifespan by 20 years.]
"What the f*ck…" Han Zhao felt a lump in his chest.
Something was not right!
He quickly reacted.
According to his memories, there were martial artists in this world who could open monuments, crack rocks, fly over roofs, and walk on walls. However, they cultivated Internal Force.
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Martial artists were divided into four realms: Skin Tempering, Bone Tempering, Blood Tempering, and Force Tempering.
Martial artists at the level of Force Tempering were called Martial Masters. They were experts who could open a sect and accept disciples.
Blackrock City had a population of at least 200,000 to 300,000. However, there were only 20 to 30 Martial Masters on the surface.
At this level, one would either continue to cultivate diligently in search of a breakthrough or begin to enjoy life. Therefore, one would basically not make a move.
A quasi-Martial Master at the Blood Tempering Realm was the strongest combat power that the major factions would usually mobilize.
Han Lin was a quasi-Martial Master. In the entire Blackrock City, he was a famous expert known as Thousand Silk Hands.
However, the 'Thousand Silk Guide' that Han Lin cultivated was also an external cultivation method. There was no internal cultivation method that could cultivate 'True Qi'.
Han Zhao fell into deep thought.
When his gaze subconsciously shifted to the silver and banknotes, the small words appeared again.
[Silver, Great Wei currency, the common currency of Great Wei. Money is not omnipotent but you can't do anything without money. You can only become stronger by spending money.]
"What a good father!" Han Zhao sighed.
Han Lin rushed back, clearly to deliver the cultivation method and bead.
The previous Han Zhao had a poor foundation and was not suitable for martial arts. On the other hand, his elder brother, Han Cheng, had an outstanding aptitude and had gone out to adventure early.
His predecessor wanted to practice martial arts, so Han Lin fed him all kinds of precious medicinal herbs and soaked him in medicinal baths in an attempt to improve his aptitude.
Otherwise, as a quasi-Martial Master and the second-in-command of the Escort Agency, how could Han Lin live in the commoner district?
After nearly ten years, his predecessor's foundation finally reached the inferior level.
Once he started training, if he failed to reach the Skin Tempering Realm in a year, it would greatly increase the difficulty of breaking through in the future. That was why Han Zhao had never learned martial arts. Instead, he stayed at home and studied all day.
Han Lin's idea was to at least raise Han Zhao's foundation to a lower-middle level before letting him cultivate martial arts.
"Such talent…" Han Zhao frowned.
His aptitude was so poor, and his only backer was in trouble. His life in the future would not be easy.
He turned his attention to the various items in the room, and notifications appeared one by one.
[Table, [Stove, [Water Jar]…
[A young man with a low aptitude and an 'ordinary' appearance. Compared to practicing martial arts, he might have a better path to wealth being a gigolo.]
In the bronze mirror, the young man had a bitter expression.
This notification might be suitable for livening up the atmosphere, but it did not seem to be of much use.
Could he become an appraiser?
This world was quite cruel. Without martial arts, it was difficult to even protect oneself.
He lived in Xinqiao District in the outer city. Not far away, Heilin District was the slums of Blackrock City. It was said that the people inside were willing to risk their lives for a few copper coins and steamed buns. It was not new to find corpses in the blind spots of alleys and smelly ditches.
The nearby gangs and small groups often fought over territories so it was common for people to die.
In such a place where human lives were nothing, not practicing martial arts was equivalent to waiting for death.
Thinking of this, Han Zhao held onto a glimmer of hope and silently chanted in his mind: "System?!"
The next second, a golden panel appeared in his vision.
Name: Han Zhao
Attribute Points: None
Trait: None
Martial Arts: None
"There's really a system?!"
More words appeared.
[Collected 10 Notification Fragments. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]
"Wait! Isn't this the game I bought in my previous life?"
Han Zhao had not reacted when he saw the notification just now. Now that he saw the attribute panel and the notification of the synthesized Trait, he finally remembered.
He bought a game called the 'Life Simulator'. He felt that the difficulty was too high, so he bought a cheat that could produce the Trait function.
This thing also followed him here?!
Han Zhao muttered, "Synthesize."
[Synthesizing once. Consuming 10 Notification Fragments and 1 tael of gold. You will definitely obtain a one-time-use Basic Trait, Life Simulation.]
[Current balance is insufficient. Please recharge.]
[If you want to become stronger, you have to spend money!]
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"It's really pay-to-win, it really is…" Han Zhao's mouth twitched.
One tael of silver was equivalent to ten copper coins.
One copper coin could buy two meat buns or a catty of brown rice in Blackrock City.
In this world, there was no genetically modified rice, nor was there any hybrid rice. The actual purchasing power of one tael of silver exceeded five thousand yuan in his previous life.
One tael of silver was enough for a family of three to live for a year.
Escort was a dangerous profession, so their monthly salary was not low. Even ordinary escorts earned a decent sum each month. Furthermore, they had commission, and if they died in battle, their families would receive compensation.
As a quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm, Han Lin's monthly salary was 20 taels of silver. He also received dividends at the end of the year, as well as some resources that could not be bought with money.
Even so, the Han family only lived in the commoner district of the outer city. One could imagine how much money Han Lin had spent on Han Zhao.
The ratio of gold to silver in Great Wei was 1:10, but in reality, it was difficult to exchange 10 taels of silver for 1 tael of gold.
Han Zhao put away the silver and banknotes on the bed. Including the silver pieces, it was about 18 taels. The banknotes were worth ten taels each. There were a total of three notes and some scattered copper coins.
48 taels was a huge sum of money.
[Poor!]
A notification appeared at the wrong time.
"I'll recharge." Han Zhao tried it.
There was no reaction.
"Good lord, do I have to exchange silver for gold? What a spendthrift!" Han Zhao couldn't help but curse.
It seemed like he had to wait until dawn to go to the bank in the inner city to exchange for gold.
"How do I live from now on?"
Han Zhao's expression flickered.
Although the Thousand Silk Force lacked the basic diagram and could not be used for Internal Force cultivation, it was still a treasure for the people in the outer city.
Once the news of Han Lin's death spread, he would be like a kid holding gold in a busy market.
"I must become stronger immediately and find a backer at the same time."
A martial arts school opened by a Force Tempering Martial Master in the city was a good place to go. As long as he paid, he would accept it.
However, his identity as an apprentice could only temporarily suppress some people. The best way was to directly hand over the problem, Thousand Silk Guide, to maximize the benefits.
…
With mixed feelings, Han Zhao sat on the bed until dawn.
When it was about time, he put away the silver and the secret manual.
Looking at the black bead lying on the bed, he hesitated for a moment before wrapping it in a cloth and putting it into the iron box. Then he placed it under the floor tiles at the bottom of the bed.
Squeak~
Han Zhao pushed open the door. The cold wind made him shrink his neck to prevent the cold wind from entering his collar.
He hated winter.
In front of him was a small courtyard. On the right was a small vegetable field with radishes planted inside.
There were a few wooden shelves in the open space to the left. On the shelves were bamboo sieves. Inside were cured meat and dried radishes.
The broom had fallen to the side of the courtyard wall at the entrance. There were traces of haphazard cleaning in the courtyard, and the footprints on the ground could be vaguely seen.
Han Zhao's heart warmed.
He picked up the broom and swept away Han Lin's footprints on the ground. Then, he left his own footprints and walked out of the door.
As he walked in the alley, pedestrians greeted him warmly from time to time. He nodded silently in response according to the personality of his predecessor in his memory.
Xinqiao District was in the south of the city, and the bank was in the most prosperous Yonghe District in the inner city.
He found the right direction and quickly walked north.
There were more than ten districts in Blackrock City, and each of them was equivalent to a small village.
The closer he got to the inner city, the wider the streets became, and the more people there were. There were people carrying loads on their backs, ox carts delivering goods, and vendors hawking their wares.
"Freshly steamed pork buns! Two for one copper coin!"
"Baked pastry! We're selling baked pastry!"
"Pot repair! We can repair your pots and pans!"
There were teahouses, taverns, pawnshops, workshops, and all kinds of other shops. In the empty space between the shops, there were many small stalls with large umbrellas. The vendors were shouting at the beggars curled up by the roadside to get lost.
The streets extended to the north and south. Han Zhao walked to the city gate at the end and entered the inner city.
With the tall city tower as the center, there were rows of shops on both sides. There were more peddlers and pedestrians, and the streets were cleaner and wider. The beggars were also gone.
Most of them were beaming with happiness.
Inner city, outer city, slums.
These three regions were like the three separated worlds that formed the entire Blackrock City.
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Chapter 2
After asking around, Han Zhao arrived at the entrance of the Datong Bank.
This was a bank opened by the Imperial Court. It had abundant funds and basically every city had a branch.
Perhaps it was because it was early, so there were not many people around.
Han Zhao walked through the main entrance.
When the servant who was cleaning the outer courtyard saw this, he welcomed him warmly and said respectfully, "Young Master, are you doing currency exchange? Or saving money?"
Han Zhao's expression didn't change as he nodded. "I'm here to exchange for gold."
"Please follow me." The servant led the way, leading Han Zhao through the door, past the inner courtyard, and out of the hall.
Two short-haired muscular men in black clothes stood at the door of the central room, filled with a fierce aura.
The servant came to the door and bowed. "Young Master, please. The shopkeeper is inside."
Han Zhao walked in. The inside was quite similar to the bank counter. The wooden fence was fenced in, revealing two U-shaped windows in the middle.
A skinny old man was sitting behind the counter. He wore a small black hat and had a goatee. He was constantly fiddling with his abacus.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, the old man raised his head and sized up Han Zhao's clothes and expression. He then stood up and greeted, "Greetings, Young Master. I am Qian Yun, the shopkeeper here."
"Greetings, Shopkeeper Qian. I would like to exchange for some gold." Han Zhao returned the bow.
As he spoke, Han Zhao took out silver and banknotes from his cloth bag.
"Please wait a moment." Qian Yun took the banknotes and silver pieces. First, he appraised the authenticity of the banknotes. Then, he picked up a small piece of silver and placed it on it to weigh.
He sized up Han Zhao from the corner of his eye as he weighed the items. Seeing that Han Zhao's expression was calm, he focused on the task at hand.
"It's a total of 48 taels of silver and 6 copper coins." After Qian Yun weighed it, he brought the scale in front of Han Zhao and showed it to him.
"This year, the exchange ratio between gold and silver is 1:10.6. However, our Cloud Prefecture is located in the west and produces more gems. There is less gold in circulation, so the exchange ratio here is 1:11.2. Can Young Master accept it?"
"Alright, let's exchange it for four taels of gold." Han Zhao nodded. Among the places that could be exchanged for gold, this was the safest.
The remaining money should be enough for living expenses. He would think of a way to earn money after he became stronger from practicing martial arts.
"One moment, please." Qian Yun stepped away from the counter and used his key to unlock the front door at the back before entering the back room.
After a while, Qian Yun held a small tray in his hand. On it were four thumb-sized gold ingots. Then, he weighed the gold in front of Han Zhao.
After that was the change.
The shopkeeper took out a clip and chipped off a piece of silver in front of him. Then, he weighed it and cut it again if it was not enough.
Han Zhao thought to himself when he saw Qian Yun carefully chipping the silver, "As expected, television dramas are all nonsense! A hero who slaps ten taels of silver on the table and doesn't ask for change is a fool with a lot of money."
"I received 48 taels of silver and 6 copper coins. The change is 3 taels of silver and 8 copper coins. Please keep it well." Qian Yun wrapped the gold and silver pieces in a red cloth and handed them to Han Zhao.
"Thank you." Han Zhao looked at Qian Yun's smiling face and put the money away.
[Judging from his expression, he should have earned some money. However, it's very difficult to do business, so it's only right to earn some money. Work hard to charge money, and you'll become stronger. You'll be able to earn more money in the future. Don't take this small amount of money to heart.]
The notification appeared again, and it actually painted a beautiful future for him.
Even a capitalist would cry at this sight.
Han Zhao cupped his fists and left.
Qian Yun pinched the goatee under his chin and revealed a shrewd gaze. He smiled and said to the outside, "Little Five, send this young master off."
He made a fortune as soon as he opened for business. How delightful.
…
After exchanging for gold, Han Zhao was no longer in a hurry. He went to the roadside stall and sat down, ordering a bowl of oil-doused noodles.
Slurp… Slurp…
Han Zhao ate the noodles in big mouthfuls. He was sweating profusely and his lips were numb from the spiciness.
After finishing the noodles, he took a big gulp of herbal tea and let out a long sigh. "Ah!"
Only at this moment did he truly feel that he was still alive.
After eating a bowl of noodles, the chill in his heart seemed to have greatly reduced.
He took out the copper coins and paid the bill. This meal cost four copper coins.
Even the oil-doused noodles in the inner city were more expensive than the outer city, but the taste was indeed better.
Han Zhao walked home with light footsteps. Just as he was about to leave the inner city, he couldn't help but spend another copper coin to buy three sticks of candied hawthorn.
…
When he got home, Han Zhao closed the door tightly and held the four taels of gold in his hand.
"System."
Han Zhao chanted in his mind.
"Charge…"
Before he could say how much money he was charging, the 4 taels of gold instantly disappeared.
[Current Balance: 4 taels of gold.]
[If you want to become stronger, you have to spend money!]
Han Zhao: "…"
Robbery!
[Collected 30 Notification Fragments. Do you want to synthesize a Trait?]
[Synthesized once. Consumed 10 Notification Fragments and 1 tael of gold. You will definitely obtain a one-time-use Basic Trait, Life Simulation.]
"Yes."
[You have obtained the Basic Trait 'Life Simulation'. Do you want to start the simulation?]
"Yes."
[16 years old. Your father died. The Fuyuan Escort Agency suffered heavy losses and moved out of Blackrock City.]
[You went to the Overlord Fist Academy and use the Thousand Silk Guide cultivation method as your tuition fee to become an apprentice at the martial arts school.]
[Your aptitude was too poor. It took you eleven months to barely grasp the basics and reach the Skin Tempering Realm.]
[20 years old. You were only a step away from the Bone Tempering Realm, but you were never able to break through. Hence, you began to cultivate a true qi cultivation method. Unfortunately, your progress was slow.]
[21 years old. You were invited by your fellow sect members to join the Purple Sun Escort Agency and become an escort. At the same time, you were registered in a few small gangs and received an allowance.]
[25 years old. You were lucky enough to break through to the Bone Tempering Realm, but your potential has been exhausted. Your true qi cultivation method has barely reached the first level. You joined a large family in the inner city and became a guard of the Li family. You also married and had children.]
[26 years old. Chu Country invaded and more than half of Cloud Prefecture fell. You moved with the Li family to Yuan Chang County City.]
[32 years old. You were seriously injured in a battle. It took you more than a year to recover.]
[42 years old. Your son decided to join the army, but he died on the front line. Your wife was too sad and died of depression. You were in so much pain that you didn't want to die and didn't remarry.]
[45 years old. Cloud Prefecture fell. The Li family moved to Qingzhou. You went with them.]
[48 years old. Your old injuries relapsed and your body weakened day by day. The Li family gave you some money and dismissed you.]
[50 years old. The Great Wei's Purple Flame Army recaptured Cloud Prefecture and counterattacked the Chu Nation.]
[In the same year, the State of Qi participated in the war. The three countries were in a chaotic battle. Cloud Prefecture was plunged into misery and suffering. Nine out of ten rooms were empty.]
[51 years old. You felt that you didn't have much time left. You wanted to return to your hometown but died of illness on the way back to Cloud Prefecture.]
"This…" Han Zhao looked at the information in the simulation and fell silent.
Ten years later, Cloud Prefecture would be in chaos. This was too dangerous!
"My aptitude is too poor. That's a big problem!"
Han Zhao frowned.
[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]
[1: Obtain Trait (including but not limited to additional special effects) (Not Selectable)]
[2: Obtain attribute points (including but not limited to upgrading martial arts)]
[3: Obtain any part of the life experience (including but not limited to memories)]
Looking at the options in front of him, Han Zhao was stunned for a moment because the first option showed that he could not choose.
"Let me see how powerful true qi martial arts are." After thinking for a moment, Han Zhao decided to learn the cultivation method Han Lin had exchanged his life for first.
"Two," Han Zhao muttered.
[Attribute Point 1]
Han Zhao took out the green-covered booklet and flipped through it.
There were a total of three levels in the manual. There were more than a hundred words on each level, as well as a human circulation diagram. He spent some time memorizing the first level.
At this moment, there was a change in the attribute panel.
Name: Han Zhao
Attribute Points: 1
Trait: None
Martial Arts: Nameless Cultivation Method (Below Entry Level, Upgradeable)
"Upgrade the nameless cultivation method."
Han Zhao muttered to himself.
At this moment, his attribute points returned to zero. He felt his lower abdomen heat up slightly, and a warm current surged throughout his body.
The nameless cultivation method was raised to First Level Small Mastery.
"Since it can strengthen the body, let's call it the 'Life Nurturing Technique'."
As Han Zhao thought about it, the words on the interface changed.
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (First Level Small Mastery 48%; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 1)
"I feel like my strength has increased."
Han Zhao did not know if his current true qi level was equivalent to the Skin Tempering Realm of external cultivation, but he could indeed feel his body becoming stronger.
He closed his eyes and looked inside according to the method recorded in the Life Nurturing Technique.
A wisp of green true qi as thick as a thumb appeared in his dantian.
Han Zhao looked at his hands and focused his Internal Force on them. He immediately felt his strength increase.
[Although this pair of hands is very beautiful, they don't have much strength. Their true qi is so weak that it's negligible.]
Han Zhao: "…"
He reached out and pinched the pillow beside him.
He broke off a piece of the solid wood pillow as if he was pinching foam.
"It improved so much?!" Han Zhao revealed a shocked expression. Without true qi, even if he broke his fingers, it was impossible for him to break a piece of the solid wood pillow.
In just one move, one-third of the green true qi in his body had been consumed. In other words, he only had three such bursts of power.
He had heard from Han Lin that even if a martial artist was only at the Skin Tempering Realm, they could deal with three to four armed adults bare-handed if they wore leather armor.
If he did not use his true qi now, he could only run away when facing three to four armed adults.
However, if he could crush the pillow, it meant that he could crush the neck of a Skin Tempering martial artist.
From the looks of it, external cultivation methods could increase the strength of the body and increase the lower limit.
When one's true qi increased the upper limit, it was obvious that one would actively increase their body's strength. However, the passive increase was not obvious.
[The best cultivation time for the Life Nurturing Technique is 5 to 10 PM. The increase in true qi is helpful for external cultivation methods.]
A more serious notification appeared.
After the notification appeared, Han Zhao realized that the chill in his heart had weakened a lot.
"Could it be that the Yin energy is the energy source of the notification?" He suddenly reacted. From the moment the notification appeared in his vision, the chill in his heart had been weakening.
However, when a serious notification appeared, the weakening was more obvious, so he noticed it.
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Chapter 3
"Forget it, I'll continue the simulation first."
Han Zhao didn't pursue the matter any further, because he would know once he gave it a try.
"System, synthesize the Trait 'Life Simulation'."
[Synthesized once. Consumed 15 Notification Fragments and 2 taels of gold. You will definitely obtain a one-time Basic Trait, Life Simulation. The probability of obtaining a White Trait will increase by 1%.]
"What's going on? Why did the price increase? And this is…"
Han Zhao noticed that there were a few more lines of words behind the system panel.
[If you want to become stronger, you have to spend money!]
[The price of synthesis will increase as one's realm increases. The more money you spend, the higher the probability of obtaining a high-level Trait.]
[There's a chance for a high-level Trait to appear after ten consecutive syntheses.]
"Good lord, how much spending must I do?!"
Looking at the notification in front of him, Han Zhao could not hold it in anymore.
"Yes."
[Obtained one-time Basic Trait 'Life Simulation'. Do you want to start the simulation?]
According to the previous simulation, he did not have a system in the simulation and could not exploit any bugs.
The Overlord Fist Academy was ranked first among the many martial arts schools in Blackrock City.
If his aptitude was so poor, he would have to choose a martial art with a lower difficulty.
Thinking of this, Han Zhao began the simulation.
[16 years old. Your father died. The Fuyuan Escort Agency suffered heavy losses and moved out of Blackrock City. Your Life Nurturing Technique reached the Small Mastery of the First Level.]
[You went to the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy and used the Thousand Silk Guide cultivation method as your tuition fee to become an apprentice at the martial arts school.]
[Five months later, you reached the Skin Tempering Realm and were at the lower level among all the apprentices.]
[23 years old. You relied on the Mountain Shaking Fist to break through to the Bone Tempering Realm and reached the Perfection of the First Level of the Life Nurturing Technique. You chose to join the Heavenly Moon Gang and the Edge Sharpening Manor. They paid you 15 taels of silver a year as their nominal member. You were obliged to make a move for them each year.]
[24 years old. You felt that your cultivation speed was getting slower and slower. Your need for resources increased rapidly.]
[In order to earn more money, you helped the Heavenly Moon Gang snatch territory and earned a lot of money.]
[In one battle, you were blinded by a martial artist in the Bone Tempering Realm who threw lime powder and ambushed you. You were also shot by a poisoned sleeve arrow and finally stabbed to death.]
Good lord, lime powder, hidden arrows, poison, sneak attacks.
They didn't care about morals.
This is the role model of our generation!
Han Zhao looked at the information in the simulation and felt that he was a little eager for quick success this time.
However, in the previous simulation, he had barely broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm at the age of 25. His potential had been exhausted, and he had barely mastered the first level of the Life Nurturing Technique.
This time, he had broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm at the age of 23, which was two years ahead of schedule.
Clearly, other than the Mountain Shaking Fist being slightly easier, the true qi of the Life Nurturing Technique had also played a considerable role.
From the looks of it, if he had attribute points, he could prioritize adding points to the Life Nurturing Technique and increase the cultivation speed of the external cultivation method faster.
[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]
[1: Obtain Trait (Selectable)]
[2: Obtained attribute points]
[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]
[Current Balance: 1 tael of gold]
"Huh? I can choose a Trait now?"
At this moment, Han Zhao realized that [Option 1, which he could not choose previously, was no longer in a gray state. It was displayed as selectable.
How should he choose?
In the long run, improving his aptitude and foundation could increase his cultivation speed.
In his previous life, when he bought the cheat, the Traits he got were all very abnormal. Even the White Traits had many good ones. He didn't believe that he would be unlucky.
'I'll take my chances!'
Han Zhao decided to choose a Trait.
"Phew!" He took a deep breath, put his palms together, and looked at the sky devoutly. He muttered to himself, "My cheap father, bless me! I'll immediately set up a memorial tablet for you and burn paper money for you. I'll borrow your lifespan of 100 years in your next life in exchange for a good Trait. Thank you! If there's a chance, I'll return ten times your lifespan!"
After praying, Han Zhao looked at the system interface and muttered, "I choose one."
[Obtained Trait: 'Sword and Saber Duo']
[Sword and Saber Duo: White Trait, Saber Dao and Sword Dao aptitude increased by three times (Can be upgraded to Green Trait through cultivation, the upper limit is Blue Trait)
"It really works?!"
Han Zhao was taken aback. He quickly looked up into the sky and cupped his fists. "You really are my father. I'll have to rely on you next time."
[Rather than relying on luck, it's better to spend money to unlock more Traits.]
"You want money, don't you?" The notification in the corner of the interface made Han Zhao feel powerless to complain.
However, he immediately began to worry again. Was it better to learn sword techniques or saber techniques?
The saber was domineering.
The sword was mighty.
"In chaotic times, one should rely on dominance."
After thinking for a moment, Han Zhao followed his inner thoughts and made a decision.
"Learn the saber!"
"Then I'll make money with a saber."
Han Zhao went out to inquire about the situation.
There was no need to go to various martial arts schools for this kind of thing. He just needed to find a storyteller in a teahouse. The interesting stories in the various martial arts schools in Blackrock City were ready-made materials for the storyteller.
Han Zhao headed north and arrived at the riverside district.
There were more than ten districts in Blackrock City, and each of them was equivalent to a small village. They had basic living facilities.
The district was adjacent to the inner city. There was a small restaurant inside, and there were storytellers in the hall on the first floor.
After paying ten copper coins for a pot of tea, he could listen to it for a day.
By the time Han Zhao arrived at the teahouse, it was still early, so there were very few customers in the hall on the first floor.
A white-haired old man was drinking tea behind a wooden table against the wall. He was wearing a green scholar's robe and holding a folding fan in his hand. In front of him was a stack of paper filled with small words. He was the storyteller.
Han Zhao walked towards him.
The white-haired old man saw a tall and handsome young man walking towards him. He put down the teapot, stood up, and cupped his hands. "Young Master, if you want to listen, please sit for a moment. It's not time yet."
Han Zhao smiled and cupped his fists at the old man. "Greetings, old mister. I am Han Zhao, and I am indeed here to hear some stories. However, I also wish to inquire about some things from you."
"My surname is Zheng. Others call me Elder Zheng," the white-haired old man said. Noticing that Han Zhaoxing was doing the martial arts greeting, he asked again, "Young Master, do you want to learn martial arts? Is that why you're asking about the martial arts school?"
Han Zhao smiled and said, "That's right, Elder Zheng. I want to learn saber techniques. I wonder which martial arts school will teach me saber techniques."
"Young Master, you've asked the right person. Blackrock City is neither big nor small. If you ask every martial arts school, you'll probably have to ask until tomorrow." Upon hearing Han Zhao's address, Elder Zheng revealed a smile, but his gaze still glanced at the wooden tray beside him.
Seeing this, Han Zhao took out ten copper coins and placed them on the tray.
"Waiter, serve the tea!"
Elder Zheng shouted at the waiter beside him.
"Guest, please take a seat. The tea will be here soon!" The waiter quickly came to the square table closest to Elder Zheng. He wiped the already clean seat and table with a cloth draped over his shoulder and gestured for Han Zhao to sit first.
"Yes." Han Zhao nodded and dragged the bench to Elder Zheng's wooden table. "Elder Zheng, please speak."
Elder Zheng twirled his beard, opened his fan, and fanned himself twice.
The cold wind blew against his face. He shivered and put away his fan. Then, he said unhurriedly, "If Young Master wants to learn weaponry, you should first approach the Overlord Fist Academy. Although this martial arts school teaches fist techniques, as long as you pay enough money, you can learn the famous spear technique of Overlord Spear, Zhao Mo. This Zhao Mo is…"
"Elder Zheng! Elder Zheng! Please talk about the martial arts school that teaches saber techniques first, then talk about the other martial arts schools." Han Zhao hurriedly interrupted Elder Zheng. If he continued, he would probably not have time to talk about serious matters when there were more people.
"Alright." Elder Zheng saw Han Zhao's serious expression and returned to the main topic.
"Speaking of saber techniques, it's naturally the Flying Cloud Academy. This Flying Cloud Saber, Wei Kang, is one of the top five Force Tempering Martial Masters in the city. He's very strong. However…"
Elder Zheng suddenly lowered his voice.
"The Flying Cloud Saber is famous for being difficult to practice. Moreover, Wei Kang loves money, so the fee is very expensive. The tuition fee is four taels of silver a month. You have to pay for a year. If you don't learn it halfway, the tuition fee won't be refunded."
Elder Zheng saw that Han Zhao had an extraordinary bearing and was not an ordinary person. However, his clothes were not luxurious. Clearly, he was not from a big family in the inner city, so he might not be able to afford the Flying Cloud Saber, so he reminded him kindly.
"I can't afford to practice this Flying Cloud Saber," Han Zhao said frankly.
The tuition fee alone was so expensive that he could not afford it.
Buying a decent saber cost at least seven to eight taels of silver, which was equivalent to the price of a horse. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a saying that weapons were passed down from generation to generation.
The reason why the martial arts school was so profitable was that these Martial Masters had cultivation techniques that could allow them to grasp Internal Force and were willing to nurture talents for the various large factions in the city.
Even if a large family clan had a cultivation method of the same level, they would not give it to all their disciples to cultivate.
Furthermore, everyone's foundation and comprehension were different, and the martial arts they were suitable to learn were also different.
The Thousand Silk Guide could only be cultivated to the Blood Tempering Realm, and it was not something that those factions with Martial Masters would take seriously. It probably could not be sold for much money.
If he offered the Thousand Silk Guide to a greedy person, it was very likely that the price would be greatly reduced.
Elder Zheng continued, "The rest is the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy. The Martial Master of this martial arts school is Lu Yi, the Mountain Splitting Saber. He was also one of the top experts in Blackrock City more than 20 years ago."
Unfortunately, Lu Yi was old now. In addition, among the apprentices he had taught over the years, those who could break through to the Blood Tempering Realm were all practicing the Mountain Shaking Fist.
The strongest person who learned the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was only in the Bone Tempering Realm. Therefore, the reputation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was not as good as before, and not many people learned it.
"However, Lu Yi's reputation is very good. The tuition fee for the Mountain Shaking Fist is one tael a month, and the Mountain Splitting Saber is three taels a month. It's paid every three months. If you don't learn it halfway, the tuition fees will be refunded according to the remaining time."
"That's it!" Han Zhao's eyes lit up.
It was very important to have a good reputation. Just the fact that he did not refund the tuition fees halfway through showed that Lu Yi was a particular person.
Moreover, in the second simulation, he also learned the Mountain Shaking Fist. It seemed that it was fate.
After getting the answer he wanted, Han Zhao was not in a hurry to leave. He could not waste ten copper coins.
Due to his poor aptitude and the fact that he studied behind closed doors all day, his personality was relatively introverted. He only learned a portion of the information about the factions in the city from Han Lin.
Now that he heard Elder Zheng talk about the strange things in Blackrock City, he could deepen his understanding of the various martial arts schools and families in the city.
Although many things sounded exaggerated, they gave him a lot of useful information.
Just like that, Han Zhao stayed until the hall was filled with guests and noises.
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Chapter 4
Five days later.
"Bad news" spread—the Fuyuan Escort Agency was attacked while escorting an escort to Yuan Chang County City.
There were more than thirty people on the escort team, including the two Blood Tempering experts, Cheng Shan and Han Lin. None of them survived.
In the past few days, other than cultivating the Life Nurturing Technique, Han Zhao would run to the inner city whenever he had time to see if there was any news from the Fuyuan Escort Agency.
After suffering such a heavy blow, the Fuyuan Escort Agency suddenly lost its backbone. In addition to facing compensation for the failure of the escort, the other forces in the inner city also took action to split the benefits of the Fuyuan Escort Agency.
When Han Zhao went to the Fuyuan Escort Agency in the afternoon, the remaining people had already handed over all their assets and territory, preparing to pack up and move out of Blackrock City. Clearly, some factions in the city had already received the news in advance.
He stood not far from the entrance of the Escort Agency and sighed in his heart as he looked at the imposing Escort Agency and the escorts who were like stray dogs.
When he returned to Xinqiao District, Han Zhao could clearly feel that the attitude of the people who greeted him earlier had changed. There were even people following him.
After breaking through to the Life Nurturing Technique, Han Zhao's hearing had become much sharper. The footsteps not far behind him maintained a rhythm. They were clearly following him.
'They're really well-informed!'
Han Zhao changed his route and rushed towards the most prosperous district in the outer city.
The Mountain Shaking Fist Academy was there.
…
Han Zhao walked out of the alley. There was a large mansion opposite.
Two stone lions more than a meter tall stood at the door. On the plaque on the door was the name 'Mountain Shaking Fist Academy'. It was so imposing!
He patted his face, then pinched the flesh on his inner thigh and twisted it hard. Tears immediately welled up in his eyes. Then, he wiped his tears with his sleeve and walked towards the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy opposite.
When he reached the door, he could hear shouts coming from the courtyard wall.
Han Zhao went up to knock on the door.
Squeak!
The door opened, and a dark, tall, strong bald young man stuck his upper body out. Then, he stepped out of the door. "Are you here to learn fist techniques?"
[This is a young man who has suffered from hair loss at a young age. Baldy is a taboo word.]
The notification in his vision almost made Han Zhao laugh out loud.
But he didn't dare.
He was only 1.7 meters tall. The other party was a head taller than him and was at least 1.9 meters tall. Standing in front of him, he felt like a wall.
"I want to learn saber techniques." Han Zhao cupped his fists.
"Learning saber techniques?" The young man was clearly stunned. He sized up Han Zhao and said, "Learning fist techniques for one month is one tael, and learning saber techniques for one month is three taels. You have to pay for three months in advance. Have you brought enough money?"
"Yes, I have."
"Come in." The young man stepped aside and gestured for Han Zhao to enter.
Han Zhao nodded, adjusted his collar, took a deep breath, and crossed the threshold.
After entering the door, there was a large empty space in front of him, divided into two parts, one on the left and one on the right.
The apprentices on the right were either training their strength with stone chains or punching sandbags. It looked like they were building a foundation. From time to time, someone would sneak a glance to the left.
The apprentices on the left were practicing in pairs. Their fist movements were much faster, and it was obvious that they had a training plan.
There were probably forty to fifty people in the entire courtyard. They were all wearing black training clothes, black pants, and a pair of black thousand-layer cloth shoes. There was a fist-sized word "Lu" embroidered on the left chest.
Seeing Han Zhao's weak scholarly appearance, the men on the right who were resting pointed at him as if to say, "This kid definitely won't be able to last."
There was a rattan chair in the middle of the aisle between the front yard and the backyard. On it lay an old man with a full beard and gray hair.
At this moment, the old man narrowed his eyes slightly and was leisurely basking in the sun. As he shook his legs, he munched on melon seeds. There was even a piece of melon seed skin stuck to the beard on the right side of his chin. He did not look like an expert at all. He was clearly an old man who had retired to enjoy life.
[Force Tempering Martial Master: His body is protected with Internal Force and he can activate it at will. He can easily have 500 kilograms of strength and can crush you with one finger. I suggest you cozy up to him. It's beneficial to earning money.]
The notification in his vision made Han Zhao not underestimate the old man at all.
The bald young man ran to the old man's rattan chair and squatted down respectfully. He whispered something into the old man's ear and pointed at Han Zhao, who was standing in the middle of the courtyard.
The old man suddenly opened his eyes and glanced at Han Zhao.
Seeing this, the dark-skinned youth waved at Han Zhao, "Come and greet Teacher Lu!"
Han Zhao stepped forward.
Lu Yi sized up Han Zhao and said, "You want to learn the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique?"
Han Zhao nodded and said respectfully, "Disciple Han Zhao greets Elder Lu."
Lu Yi stood up and gently squeezed Han Zhao's right arm.
Han Zhao felt as if his tendons were being rubbed repeatedly. His entire right side was numb.
"Is this Internal Force?"
Then, Lu Yi squeezed Han Zhao's left arm, then his ribs, and finally his spine and shoulder bones.
"Your foundation is a little poor." Lu Yi frowned slightly and sat back on the rattan chair. "Go over there and pay. You can learn for three months first."
When Han Zhao heard this, he reached into his clothes and took out a white booklet. He handed it over with both hands and said, "I don't have any money on me, but I'm willing to use this 'Thousand Silk Guide' cultivation method as tuition fees. Is that okay?"
"He used a cultivation method as tuition fees? Does he not have money?"
"Thousand Silk Guide? Isn't that the martial art of 'Thousand Silk Hands' Han Lin? This kid is…"
"He should be Han Lin's youngest son. He's the useless guy who ate medicine worth more than a thousand taels of silver."
"A martial art that can be cultivated to the Blood Tempering Realm can be sold for 180 taels of silver in the black market. Is he so prodigal?"
"You still don't know, right? Han Lin and the Fuyuan Escort Agency are finished! Today, I…"
Han Zhao's actions attracted the attention of the apprentices. They began to whisper to each other. Some well-informed people already knew the inside story.
"Oh?!" Lu Yi was stunned for a moment and said, "Little Han, are you Han Lin's youngest son?"
Han Zhao replied, "Yes, Teacher Lu."
Lu Yi took the white booklet and casually flipped through it. He said, "It's not bad. Unfortunately, you don't have the most important basic diagram to grasp Internal Force. Otherwise, the price could at least increase by a hundred times. Now, it's at most worth 70 to 80 taels of silver. I won't spend money to buy it but it's fine as payment for the tuition fees."
"Thank you, Teacher Lu." Han Zhao cupped his fists. He wanted everyone to know that he had already given the Thousand Silk Guide to Lu Yi.
"Smart boy." Lu Yi chuckled. He had heard about Han Lin and understood Han Zhao's situation.
He continued, "I won't take advantage of you. Learn the saber technique for half a year first. If you can't break through to the Skin Tempering Realm, change to the Mountain Shaking Fist as soon as possible. This way, you won't be delayed. In addition, I'll buy you lunch for half a year. There's meat, so you can be full."
"I'll listen to Teacher Lu." Han Zhao bowed. Although Lu Yi had gotten a bargain this time, to him, fighting for safe cultivation time was priceless.
This was a win-win situation.
"Hmm, not bad. Although your foundation is a little lacking, your comprehension of saber techniques is also very important. Perhaps you can really break through in half a year. Practice well."
Lu Yi was in a good mood and encouraged Han Zhao.
"I will definitely cultivate diligently and strive to break through as soon as possible." Han Zhao said seriously. Even with the enhancement of [Sword and Saber Duo]'s Saber Dao Aptitude, he would not slack off at all.
"Alright." Lu Yi clapped his hands. "How about this? If you can really learn the First Level of the saber technique in half a year… no, in four months, and break through to the Skin Tempering Realm, I'll give you a spare saber that I used in my early years. How about that?"
"Many thanks, Teacher Lu!" Han Zhao's eyes lit up. There was such a good thing?
A decent saber cost seven to eight taels. As a Force Tempering Martial Master, even if Lu Yi had a spare saber, the price would have to be doubled, right?
Even if he sold everything and earned another 10 taels of silver to simulate the future, and then used his attribute points to increase it, he would have to break through within four months.
Moreover, if he cultivated with all his might, he might be able to break through in four months.
It took him five months to break through in the last simulation.
The Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was naturally more difficult than the Mountain Shaking Fist, but the additional three times Saber Dao Aptitude was not just for show.
"Don't worry, I never go back on my word." Seeing Han Zhao's surprised expression, Lu Yi reached out and stroked his beard, as if he was a man of his word. As he stroked his beard, his hand touched the melon seed shell on it.
His smile faded and he pinched the shell of the melon seed.
"Thank you, Teacher Lu!" Han Zhao lowered his head and pretended not to see anything.
Lu Yi pointed at the bald young man beside him and said, "This dark-skinned guy is called Zhao Yuantu. He's your eldest senior brother. He'll teach you the most basic things. Also, I'll personally teach you the saber technique. Come earlier in the afternoon in the future."
"Yes, Teacher Lu."
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
"Hehe, hello Junior Martial Brother Han. Come with me, I'll bring you your training clothes and teach you the basic training methods. You can start training now." Although Zhao Yuantu had a fierce appearance, his laughter was a bit simple and honest.
"Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother." Han Zhao followed.
"Han."
Lu Yi suddenly called out to Han Zhao.
"Teacher Lu?" Han Zhao turned around.
Lu Yi looked at Han Zhao's slightly red eyes and said in a low voice, "Life and death are determined by fate. Fortune depends on the person. Only by becoming stronger can one change their fate in this chaotic world."
"Thank you for your teachings, Teacher Lu. I will remember it."
"Go on."
"I'll take my leave."
"And…"
"Teacher Lu?" Han Zhao paused again.
Lu Yi grabbed a handful of melon seeds. "Don't speak so genteelly here."
"Ah, sure thing."
Chapter 5
Zhao Yuantu gave Han Zhao a set of training clothes to change into and then taught him the basic body tempering method.
According to this special training method, after a while, his body began to sweat. He felt his skin and flesh tighten, and the soreness in his body accumulated very quickly.
Just like that, Han Zhao practiced until evening, when the sun set in the west.
Zhao Yuantu carried a large wooden bucket to the middle of the courtyard. The apprentices who were practicing stopped.
Han Zhao also stopped.
The apprentices took out bowls from somewhere and lined up in three rows in front of Zhao Yuantu.
Zhao Yuantu took out a round wooden spoon and scooped the steaming red liquid into everyone's bowls. Although the bowls everyone brought varied in size, he always filled two spoons exactly, no more, no less.
Soon, the line in front was completed, and it was Han Zhao's turn.
Zhao Yuantu took out a bowl and handed it to him.
"Junior Brother, this is Vitality Soup. Every apprentice who pays will have one bowl a day. Drink it and have a good night's sleep. Your body won't hurt tomorrow. Oh right, remember to bring your own bowl tomorrow."
"Okay, Eldest Senior Brother." Han Zhao took the bowl. This red liquid could eliminate the soreness caused by the accumulation of lactic acid. In his previous life, it was simply a divine medicine.
The red liquid in the wooden barrel had been emptied, but it was just enough.
Zhao Yuantu placed the bottom of the wooden bucket diagonally on the ground and scooped out two spoonfuls of Vitality Ssoup. Then, he added another half spoonful for Han Zhao.
Han Zhao was taken aback.
Zhao Yuantu said, "This is Master's order. Drink it while it's hot. The effect will be worse if it's cold."
As he spoke, Zhao Yuantu scooped two more spoonfuls for himself.
There was still some Vitality Soup left in the wooden bucket. Zhao Yuantu had not scooped it all out.
Han Zhao took a small sip of the boiling blood soup. It wasn't as hot as he had imagined.
The liquid entered his stomach through his esophagus. Soon, a comfortable feeling spread throughout his entire body.
"It's working so fast?" Han Zhao was a little surprised, but his expression remained unchanged. He drank in large gulps while observing his surroundings.
The apprentices were distributed in groups of twos and threes in the courtyard according to their relationship.
Although they were wearing the same training clothes, one could roughly tell everyone's background from their expressions and actions.
Needless to say, those apprentices whose faces were glowing after drinking the Vitality Soup stuck out their tongues and licked the middle of the bowl. It was obvious that they had hope and responsibility.
"Come, come, come! The water is here! The water is here!"
After a while, a young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes came to the courtyard with a kettle. He poured a pot of boiling water into a wooden bucket and used a round wooden spoon to stir the remaining Vitality Soup to prevent some medicinal dregs from sinking to the bottom.
"Give me a spoonful!"
"Me too!"
"Don't push!"
Half of the apprentices surrounded him. They held their bowls and looked at the Vitality Soup in the wooden barrel that was almost transparent. This time, no one queued up because they were too late.
Han Zhao finally understood why Zhao Yuantu had left behind some Vitality Soup.
"The apprentices who learn fist techniques are very mobile. Many of them won't come if they don't break through in three months. Their families can't support them." Zhao Yuantu's voice was a little low.
Looking at the noisy apprentices in the middle of the courtyard, a portion of the apprentices outside left the courtyard.
Lu Yi was already used to this scene and continued to munch on melon seeds leisurely.
At this moment, two men and two women walked out of the courtyard behind him. All of them were good-looking.
The four of them were all wearing long sabers at their waists. The training clothes they were wearing were of different colors and gorgeous styles. It was obvious that they were very expensive.
As if they disliked the noisy apprentices in the middle of the courtyard, they greeted Lu Yi and left the front yard.
…
On the way home.
Han Zhao's back was facing the setting sun, and his figure grew longer and longer on the horizon.
When he returned to Xinqiao District and was about to reach the alley outside his house, he realized that someone was following him.
He looked back and saw two strong men in black clothes staring at him not far away. When they noticed his clothes, their expressions clearly changed.
Han Zhao continued walking, and the two of them did not follow.
He reached his front door and pulled out his keys. He was about to open the front door to the yard when he paused.
There was mud stuck to the edge of the courtyard wall.
He also heard breathing, just inside the door.
Although the sound was very soft, he could hear it with his current hearing. Especially after circulating his true qi, he could even hear the sound of clothes rubbing against the wall.
[There are two scumbags behind the door who are preparing to ambush you. If you stick your head in after opening the door, the probability of getting hit by a brick is as high as 66%. The probability of getting hit by a rod is as high as 33%. The probability of dying directly is as high as 1%.]
Han Zhao's expression darkened.
Perhaps because he had paused in his act of unlocking the door, the breathing inside had clearly become heavier.
Tap, tap!
Han Zhao unlocked the door and pushed it open.
He stretched his leg in and pulled it back the next second.
"Go to hell!"
Two thick arms held the bricks in the air in front of him.
Shock appeared on the two ferocious faces.
"Um…"
Han Zhao circulated his true qi with both hands and grabbed their arms. He grabbed them forcefully and bent them!
Crack!
Han Zhao broke their arms like sugarcane. They were twisted and deformed.
"Ah—!" A miserable scream sounded, making one's hair stand on end.
Han Zhao let go, and the two of them rolled on the ground in pain.
He kicked the two of them hard.
"Stop! Stop at once!"
"We're from the Wild Dog Gang. If you… Ah!"
The two of them screamed repeatedly. One of them wanted to threaten Han Zhao, but Han Zhao kicked him so hard that he almost fainted.
"Does your Wild Dog Gang want to be enemies with the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy?"
Han Zhao pointed at the word "Lu" on his training suit.
The Wild Dog Gang was a small gang formed by gangsters from the slums. They committed all kinds of crimes. However, the gang members were all ordinary people. There was not even a single Skin Tempering martial artist. They only relied on ruthlessness to gain a foothold in the slums.
When these people heard the news of Han Lin's death, they probably wanted to extract benefits from him.
He probably didn't even know that he was going to the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy and was lying in ambush in his courtyard in advance.
"Grandpa Han! Grandpa Han! We were wrong!"
"We don't dare to be enemies with the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy. Please spare our dog lives!"
Only then did the two of them pay attention to Han Zhao's training clothes. Under the dual pressure of Han Zhao's martial strength and identity, they endured the pain and kowtowed like they were pounding garlic.
"Get lost. Don't let me see you again. Don't provoke me in the future, members of the Wild Dog Gang!" Han Zhao pointed at the door.
"Thank you, Grandfather Han! Thank you, Grandfather Han!"
"We wouldn't dare! We definitely wouldn't dare!"
Both of them scrambled out of the courtyard.
Han Zhao remembered their faces and closed the door.
He walked to the middle of the courtyard and glanced at the wooden shelf. He was suddenly stunned.
"Where's my cured meat?!"
There were bamboo sieves on the wooden shelf. Originally, it had cured meat and dried radishes inside. Now, there were only dried radishes left.
Han Zhao could only bear to eat a little of the cured meat every meal, but now it was gone.
[Look on the bright side. They could have taken everything away, but now they've at least left you some dried radish.]
"Local gangs are so rude!"
Han Zhao's heart burned with rage. He locked the courtyard door and quickly chased after the two.
Originally, he had considered that it was not good to kill someone at his doorstep. After all, there were officials in the city, so he could not be too blatant.
He let the two of them leave because he was prepared to wait until no one made a move at night and keep the commotion quiet.
After all, he could not believe such shameless words at all. Who knew if they would play tricks behind his back?
In any case, the government would not care about the matters in the slums.
In the end, the cured meat was gone.
He was even disgusted by this damn notification.
Now he was furious.
…
Heilin District, the slums of Blackrock City.
Trash was casually piled by the roadside, and the air was filled with the smell of feces and urine mixed with something rotting and fermenting.
At this moment, in a narrow alley.
The two men limped and supported each other as they walked home. Both of their right arms were twisted and deformed.
"Han Zhao, that damned bastard!"
"Damn it! Sooner or later, I'll kill him!"
The intense pain made the two of them break out in cold sweats. Only curses could slightly ease the pain.
However, just as the two of them were about to walk out of the alley, a voice came from behind them, making them feel as if they had fallen into an icy river.
"It won't have to happen sooner or later. Let's end it now."
Before the two of them could turn around, the brick mover hit them on the back of the head.
BANG! BANG!
The two of them blacked out and fell to the ground.
Han Zhao added a few more blows until their skulls were completely shattered, revealing their peaceful sleeping faces. Only then did he throw the bricks away.
"I don't cause trouble, but I'm not afraid of trouble. I'll be nice if you don't force me." Han Zhao's face was cold as he took a deep breath. The smell of blood made him feel a little uncomfortable.
It was just that if he wanted to live well, he had to do this.
These two people deserved to die. If he hadn't been vigilant, he would have been the one lying on the ground.
Since they dared to ambush him, they had to die!
Looking at the spreading bloodstains on the ground, Han Zhao quickly squatted down and found his own cured meat, two taels of silver, and dozens of copper coins.
Taking advantage of the fact that no one had noticed, he put away his things and left in a hurry.
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Chapter 6
The next day.
Han Zhao went to the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy early in the morning.
There were already apprentices training in the courtyard.
Eldest Senior Brother Zhao Yuantu was guiding the newcomers. When he saw Han Zhao arrive, he nodded at him and continued to teach the newcomers.
According to their cultivation progress, the apprentices first used special techniques to hit the sandbags, then lifted the stone lock. In the last stage, they used their fists to hit the heated sand in the iron pot.
It was best to complete these three stages within three months. This was because the difficulty of cultivating the Mountain Shaking Fist was relatively low. Only by entering the Skin Tempering Realm within two months would one be considered talented.
Of course, this was the process of cultivating the Mountain Shaking Fist.
Han Zhao trained in saber techniques, so he only needed to hit sandbags and lift rocks to train his arms.
At first glance, these methods seemed to be similar to some exercises in his previous life, but there was actually a huge difference.
According to the techniques taught by Zhao Yuantu, he could clearly feel the changes in his body. Coupled with the Vitality Soup, Han Zhao felt that his strength seemed to have increased significantly from yesterday afternoon's cultivation.
However, when practicing fist techniques, one had to remember the incantation of the fist technique.
Han Zhao had yet to learn the incantation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, so he did not know how big the difference was.
He exercised slowly like this, and sweat gradually soaked through his undershirt.
The morning passed just like that.
The apprentices who were polishing their bodies rested one after another. Han Zhao rested the least and only rested for a short while each time.
Seeing Han Zhao practice like this, some new apprentices followed suit. In the end, they quickly rubbed their shoulders and hands, feeling uncomfortable everywhere.
Zhao Yuantu had already explained the situation. He had to prevent over-practicing. Otherwise, he would not have the strength in the afternoon.
Some old apprentices were also watching the joke.
This was because some of them were the same at the beginning. They wanted to practice for a while longer, but in the afternoon, they could not even raise their arms.
But when it was almost noon, although Han Zhao was sweating profusely, he still looked energetic.
[Too light.]
[Too much force.]
[Hit the sandbag with nine portions of full force and three portions of light force!]
[The movement of lifting the stone lock must be wild and elegant!]
[…]
While he was practicing, notifications kept appearing. Soon, there were 10 Notification Fragments.
Every serious notification would weaken the Yin energy in his chest even more.
At this rate, the Yin energy in his chest would not last long.
He didn't know how much Yin energy was left in the black bead. He hadn't absorbed it all yet.
However, the most important thing now was to make money. He only had six taels of silver on him, including the money given by the two gangsters from the Wild Dog Gang yesterday. If he wanted to simulate it again, he was still short of more than five taels.
Although Lu Yi had prepared lunch, he still had to eat breakfast and dinner. The amount of food he ate after practicing martial arts for a day was not on the same level as the amount of food he ate after sitting at home for a day.
He had to break through as soon as possible and think of a way to earn money.
After Han Zhao sat down to rest, Zhao Yuantu scratched his bald head and looked at him in shock. "Han Zhao, your endurance is so good?!"
He had thought that Han Zhao's thin arms and legs would not last long. Yesterday afternoon's practice was short, and he had not noticed that today was the entire morning.
He could persevere because he was already at the peak of the Bone Tempering Realm and was about to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm. Han Zhao had yet to enter the basics!
"I was born with it," Han Zhao replied.
Although Han Zhao looked like a scholar and didn't talk much when he was resting, he chatted with everyone.
When the men at the side heard this, they joked about him.
"You look like a pretty boy, but your endurance is so good!"
"That's right. I'm so envious."
"Damn it! Damn it! If I were you, I would go straight to the inner city and marry a rich lady! I wouldn't have to sweat and suffer here."
"Meng Ming, do you want to live off a woman?"
"My stomach hasn't been good since I was young. Can't I?" A young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes couldn't help but complain. His name was Meng Ming. Because of his straightforward personality, he had a good relationship with the men practicing fist techniques in the courtyard.
"If possible, I still want to rely on myself," Han Zhao said seriously.
After being reborn, how could he marry into the family and become a live-in son-in-law? It was not a matter of money.
Seeing how serious he was, everyone did not say anything else.
…
Soon, it was time for lunch. The apprentices in the courtyard left one after another.
Some people took out the pancakes they brought with them and squatted in the courtyard to eat with hot water.
Han Zhao followed Zhao Yuantu to the kitchen.
There were only two dishes on the small table, a small pot of braised pork and a large pot of vegetables.
"Let's eat. The teacher has gone out. It's just the two of us eating."
Han Zhao picked up some vegetables with his chopsticks and poured rice over the broth. He ate the braised pork in big mouthfuls and picked up three large bowls of rice.
In his previous life, his family background was average, but it was much better than this. He had never eaten fatty meat since he was young.
He had never thought that the fat would be so delicious!
The two of them finished all the food just like that.
In the end, when Han Zhao was full, Zhao Yuantu poured the rice in his bowl into a small basin and let the rice absorb all the gravy before eating it. Only then did he pat his stomach, feeling unsatisfied.
After dinner, the two of them started chatting.
Zhao Yuantu was 23 years old this year. His parents passed away when he was 14 years old. At the age of 15, he learned martial arts from Lu Yi. Because his aptitude was not bad and he was honest and willing to work, he was kept in the martial arts school. Most of the newcomers in the martial arts school were taught by him.
Although there was no salary, food and accommodation were provided, and the cost of learning fist techniques was halved.
"By the way, senior brother, do you know any way to make money?" Han Zhao poured two bowls of barley tea and asked about making money.
There were a total of three levels to the Life Nurturing Technique. Although he would persist in cultivating it, he had money in his pocket and attribute points in the interface. He was more confident.
"What's wrong? Are you short of money?" Zhao Yuantu took a sip of tea.
"My aptitude is not good enough, so I want to save more money in case of emergencies." Han Zhao smiled.
"That's true. No one would complain about having too much money." Zhao Yuantu scratched his bald head and said, "Generally speaking, joining a large family or a large trading company in the inner city is the most profitable. However, freedom will be restricted."
"Other than that, you only need to put up a name for those gangs. Usually, you only need to make a move once or twice a year within your ability."
"My nominal gangs are the Heavenly Moon Gang and the Black Hand Gang. I can earn 12 taels of silver every year."
"However, if you want to put up your name, you have to at least reach the Skin Tempering Realm."
"Is that all? Anything else?" Han Zhao asked again. He already knew everything Zhao Yuantu had said.
"Also, you can be a 'Saber Hunter' and help the authorities hunt down wanted criminals. You can rely on the leader of the people to reward you or join the Escort Agency to carry out escort missions. The other option is to go up the mountain with hunters to hunt and gather herbs. However, the mountain is very dangerous. Other than poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, I heard that there are also dirty things appearing at night."
"However, humans are the most dangerous in the wild." Zhao Yuantu added, "Therefore, there are only two ways for you to earn money."
"Which two?"
"You seem to have studied, right? You can teach the children of poor families how to read. Although the fees will be much lower without any scholarship, you only need to teach them for two hours a day. A child will be charged dozens of copper coins. At the same time, you can teach more children. It's a bit tough every month but it won't be a problem to earn one tael of silver."
"In addition, there's another way to earn more money. It's to get Master to find a partner for you and find a rich family to marry into. Junior Brother, you're so handsome. It's not a problem for you to find a rich woman." Zhao Yuantu revealed a silly smile.
"I understand. Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother." Han Zhao nodded.
It was impossible to live off a woman. A man had to have a backbone!
…
In the afternoon, Lu Yi returned to the martial arts school on time.
He brought Han Zhao into the small courtyard inside.
On the left side of the courtyard stood three wooden stakes, which were covered with saber marks. On the empty space on the right stood two men and two women.
Lu Yi introduced them to Han Zhao. The four of them were Zhang Tianwen, Li Fei, Su Yun, and Xu Ling.
Zhang Tianwen was handsome. He was nineteen years old this year and was shorter than Han Zhao. He was about 1.7 meters tall.
Li Fei had good facial features, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. He was 24 years old and about 1.8 meters tall.
The two of them came from big families in the inner city, the Li family and the Zhang family. Among them, the Li family even had a Force Tempering Martial Master holding down the fort. However, both of them were not direct descendants.
Su Yun and Xu Ling were from wealthy families in the inner city. Both of them were 18 years old.
Because Han Zhao had once joined the Li family in the simulation, he took a few more glances at Li Fei. He had no feelings for the beautiful Su Yun and Xu Ling.
Women would only affect the speed at which he drew his saber.
Han Zhao greeted the four of them politely.
Li Fei smiled in response. Zhang Tianwen nodded expressionlessly.
Su Yun's expression was arrogant as she politely and distantly cupped her fists.
Xu Ling stared at Han Zhao's face.
"Han Zhao, memorize the incantation…" Lu Yi gestured for the four of them to continue practicing. Then, he pulled Han Zhao to the side and let him remember the incantation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique.
After confirming that he had memorized it, Lu Yi told him to wait while he walked towards the room.
Because Han Zhao could not afford a saber now, Lu Yi went to get a saber and temporarily lent it to Han Zhao.
The sound of metal clashing attracted Han Zhao's attention.
The four of them fought in pairs, Zhang Tianwen against Li Fei and Su Yun against Xu Ling.
The two sides exchanged blows, constantly brandishing their long sabers and slashing at each other.
It was good to be rich. The sabers they bought were specially used for practice and were not sharpened.
Of course, even an unsharpened saber weighed three to four catties. If it cut into the body, it would not be a joke.
Just from the sound of the long saber slashing through the air, one could tell that the force was not simple.
"So fast." Han Zhao was speechless. These four people were all stronger than him. Even with the instantaneous explosive power brought about by the nourishing true qi, they were still much weaker.
[The saber techniques that specialize in strength and explosive power are all wrong. How lousy!]
[No flexibility, memorization of saber techniques, poor comprehension!]
[Judging from Su Yun's foot movements when she paused, she should be very itchy. She might be deeply troubled by her foot fungus.]
"Pfft!" Han Zhao couldn't help but laugh when a notification suddenly appeared in front of him.
The four of them paused and looked at him.
Han Zhao quickly lowered his head and held back his laughter.
Su Yun frowned. She felt that Han Zhao was deliberately attracting attention.
However, to be fair, she felt that Han Zhao's looks were indeed very attractive. It was a pity that her foundation was inferior.
Li Fei smiled and did not say anything.
Zhang Tianwen sneered.
On the other hand, Xu Ling would steal glances at this outstanding junior brother from time to time.
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Chapter 7
After a while, Lu Yi returned to the courtyard with a saber on his waist and threw it to Han Zhao.
Han Zhao grabbed the scabbard with one hand and the hilt with the other.
He drew his saber.
Whoosh!
The bright silver blade glowed with a cold light. The length of the blade was about one meter. At first glance, it looked like a straight saber, but the blade was slightly curved and wider. It weighed about four kilograms.
Overall, it looked like a good saber.
[A low-quality saber.]
A notification appeared.
Han Zhao was basically experienced now. As long as he focused his attention on one point, it was easy for a notification to appear.
Other than that, there were also times when his emotions fluctuated greatly.
"This is my backup saber from my early years. I'll lend it to you for practice," Lu Yi said seriously. "If you can really master it within four months, I'll give this saber to you."
"Yes."
Han Zhao held the saber and waved it gently, adapting to the weight.
It was difficult for ordinary people to swing a saber that weighed nearly four catties for a long time, let alone practice saber techniques.
However, training one's skin and flesh by wielding a saber was also a necessary process for cultivation.
"Let's begin. Remember the incantation and my movements. When you're completely familiar with it and there are obvious changes in your arm, it means that you've broken through." Lu Yi held the hilt of the saber with one hand and slowly drew out his saber. His entire aura instantly changed drastically.
Although Lu Yi had a full beard, he gave off a scholarly and easy-going feeling. However, when he held the saber at this moment, a sharp feeling appeared on his body.
The cold wind was like a knife, and a few leaves fell from the mulberry trees in the courtyard.
Lu Yi moved.
"This is the first move, Cross River Style!"
Lu Yi stepped on the ground with his right foot and soared into the air. Then, he spun in the air. The pitch-black blade was like a black dragon as it swam past Han Zhao's eyes and spun above his head.
As his body landed, the blade stopped on Han Zhao's shoulder.
A strand of Han Zhao's hair and four leaves fell at the same time.
"So fast!" Han Zhao looked down and saw that the four leaves had been split vertically from the middle. Three of the leaves were clearly bent.
What astonishing accuracy!
[Putting aside the power, just from the proficiency of the saber technique, this saber move is not bad.]
"In the beginning, you only need to try your best to imitate my movements and use the strength of the saber to train your body. When you break through to the Skin Tempering Realm, you will be able to unleash the true power of this saber move."
"By the way, did you get a good look?"
Lu Yi sheathed his saber. He had deliberately slowed down just now. However, as a Force Tempering Martial Master, even if he slowed down, it was very difficult for Han Zhao to memorize the moves and not use them once. Therefore, he planned to practice them a few more times for Han Zhao to see.
"I saw it clearly!" Han Zhao gripped his saber tightly as Lu Yi's actions kept appearing in his mind.
"If you didn't see it clearly, I can demonstrate… What did you say?!" Lu Yi frowned.
"I saw it clearly, Teacher Lu," Han Zhao repeated.
"Come try it." Lu Yi took a few steps back and made space for him. He gestured for Han Yi to do as he was told.
"Alright." Han Zhao stood still and tightened his grip on the saber in his hand. He sheathed it and took a deep breath.
[Your body moves with the saber, and the saber moves at will. You have to imagine that you are one with the saber, and the saber grows on your body. With your current level, it's better to stand on the ground and draw your saber.]
Seeing the notification in his vision, Han Zhao closed his eyes and imagined himself as one with his saber.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and suddenly drew his saber. The long saber in his hand stabbed against the wind, and a bright silver cold light went straight for Lu Yi's throat. Before the saber arrived, the cold saber intent seemed to have already shattered the biting cold west wind.
Lu Yi stopped twirling his beard.
Han Zhao's blade suddenly changed. He turned around and drew a full moon in front of him.
"Clang!"
Han Zhao awkwardly sheathed his saber, and the sound of the blade rubbing against the scabbard brought Lu Yi back to his senses.
"Is this really your first time holding a saber?!"
"Yes." Han Zhao nodded. [Sword and Saber Duo] was indeed powerful. It was clearly his first time holding a saber, but when he attacked just now, he felt as if the saber was part of his hand.
"I…" Lu Yi was surprised and delighted.
Although many people came to learn saber techniques from him every year, in the past decade or so, no apprentice had broken through to the Blood Tempering Realm with the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique.
This was because at the second level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, which was the Bone Tempering Realm, the requirement for comprehension was very high.
Comprehension was something that really existed but could not be seen or touched. It was not like foundation and innate vitality that could be determined with a test.
Many people in Blackrock City said that the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was useless, but twenty years ago, why didn't anyone dare to say such words in front of him?!
Over the years, it was not that there were no quasi-Martial Masters in the Blood Refining Realm among the martial artists who had graduated under him, but they had all cultivated the Mountain Shaking Fist to the third level to break through. Even the martial artists who cultivated it at the same time were stuck at the second level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique.
Currently, the most talented person in the martial arts school was Li Fei and his daughter, Lu Yingxuan.
However, after Lu Yingxuan reached the second level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, she was brought to Yuan Chang City, the capital of Cloud Prefecture, by an old friend of his last year. She joined the martial arts academy and changed her swordsmanship.
As for Li Fei, he was twenty-four years old this year. He had been stuck at the perfected second level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique for two years. Once he passed the age of twenty-five, his chances of breaking through would only decrease. Recently, he had already prepared to switch to the Mountain Shaking Fist.
Lu Yi's strongest martial arts technique was the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, but every time his disciples went out to spar with other martial arts schools, they would compete with their fists and feet.
It was because there were no apprentices in the martial arts school who had cultivated the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to the third level.
This had always been Lu Yi's regret.
He did not expect to suddenly pick up a treasure!
"Han Zhao, do it again."
"Yes." Han Zhao took out his saber.
It was a clean Cross River Style.
Moreover, he was clearly much more proficient in retracting his saber.
Although it was just a movement without the strength of the Skin Tempering Realm as the foundation, Han Zhao's movements were too precise. It could only be described as beautiful!
'Inferior foundation but superior comprehension, a saber genius?!' Happiness came too suddenly. For a moment, Lu Yi felt that it was unreal.
He hurriedly said, "Mountain Shaking Fist only focuses on the fist and arm, but the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique requires comprehensive training in the hands, eyes, body, methods, and steps. Strength starts from the ground. Let's start from the basics. In addition…"
Lu Yi requested that Han Zhao spend half a day every day building up his foundation.
"Yes, Teacher Lu." Han Zhao naturally knew the importance of foundation.
Although he did not want to be in the limelight, things that were related to resources were different.
This was because Lu Yi had stipulated that the higher the realm of the apprentice, the lower the tuition fees.
Moreover, he was determined to get this saber.
…
"Good!"
"Very good!"
From time to time, Lu Yi's happy laughter could be heard from the inner courtyard. The students from the outer courtyard were a little curious.
"What's wrong with him these days?"
"That's right. I haven't seen Master Lu so happy in a long time."
"Could it be that some senior brother has broken through?"
"It must be Li Fei. His Mountain Splitting Saber Technique has long reached the second level. Perhaps he has broken through!"
"You're all wrong! It's Han Zhao. I heard that he practiced the saber technique Teacher Lu taught him after just one look. He's a saber genius!"
"How is that possible? Isn't this guy's foundation very poor? Otherwise, he wouldn't have eaten thousands of taels of precious herbs."
"Comprehension and foundation are two different things."
"Why don't we make a bet? How about one tael of silver?"
"Then forget it. I don't have any money."
"Let's bet on dinner. How about dinner?"
"I'm not betting! I'm irreconcilable with drugs and gambling!"
Everyone whispered to each other.
…
Lu Yi's happy state lasted for two months before it gradually faded.
This was because the First Level was the easiest to break through, especially for a genius like Han Zhao who memorized the Cross River Style after reading it once.
However, he did not break through to the Skin Tempering Realm after two months.
His innate foundation was still too weak, dragging him down.
For example, Li Fei, whose comprehension was not bad, only used half a month to break through to the Skin Tempering Realm because his foundation was high. Only then did he completely master the Cross River Style.
Lu Yi felt that it was a pity. If Han Zhao came from a large family and had such a comprehension of the saber, even if his foundation was inferior, he could break through to the Bone Tempering Realm as soon as possible with the help of resources in the early stages. Then, with his comprehension, he could break through to the Blood Tempering Realm, cultivate the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to the third level, and fully master it.
Of course, as long as Han Zhao could break through to the Skin Tempering Realm in half a year, he would be considered average.
However, with such progress, the possibility of grasping Internal Force to become a Martial Master in the future would be greatly reduced.
Lu Yi's original intention of letting Han Zhao be his successor had faded.
However, he could still take care of Han Zhao a little. After all, he wanted Han Zhao to master the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and defeat the chiefs of the other martial arts schools in the martial arts school competition to revive the reputation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique.
They were neither relatives nor friends, so it was impossible for him to do everything for Han Zhao. Whether he could grasp Internal Force or not depended on Han Zhao's luck.
In this world, everything had to be fought for by oneself.
…
Han Zhao didn't know about Lu Yi's roller coaster-like mental journey in the past two months.
He cultivated diligently every day.
In the morning, he would train his physical fitness. After lunch, he would take two hours to teach the children how to read and earn money. Then, he would practice his saber in the afternoon and the Life Nurturing Technique at night.
If not for the fact that he had meat for lunch at Lu Yi's house every day and could eat until he was full and drink half a bowl of Vitality Soup at night, his body would probably not have been able to withstand it.
During this period of time, Han Zhao was like a sponge, crazily absorbing the water of strength.
Martial Arts: Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (First Level Entry Level 69%), Life Nurturing Technique (First Level Small Mastery 50%)
Before going to bed, Han Zhao checked his cultivation progress as usual.
He felt that his strength had increased a lot recently. He was not far from breaking through.
He would probably be able to break through to the Skin Tempering Realm when the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique reached the Small Mastery stage of the First Level.
It would take about a month.
As for the Life Nurturing Technique, it had only increased by 2% in two months. Although it was much faster than the simulation, it was still not enough.
"Let's work harder next. The sooner I break through, the sooner I can earn money."
"If only a rich woman could see through my soft heart under my strong appearance. Sigh…"
Han Zhao closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.
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Chapter 8
A month later.
In the afternoon.
Mountain Shaking Fist Academy, inner courtyard.
Crack!
Han Zhao held his saber with both hands and swung it from the top right. The wooden stake in front of him was cut diagonally from the top.
With a bang, the wood that had been cut off fell to the ground.
Han Zhao lowered his head and looked at his hands holding the saber. He felt the muscles in his arms swell and his hands heat up. The blood in his body surged and power surged out continuously.
Martial Arts: Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (First Level Small Mastery 1%; Upgradeable; Special Effect: Explosive Level 1)
"I've finally broken through."
Just now, he felt as if there was a breath in his body that he wanted to release, so he used his true qi and suddenly slashed out. In the end, he successfully broke through.
It took him 91 days to reach the Skin Tempering Realm and officially cross the Entry Level.
According to his understanding, this speed was above average in the martial arts school.
It was mainly because he was poor. Otherwise, if he ate better and nourished himself more, it would definitely be faster.
[Sword and Saber Duo proficiency increased. Saber Dao Aptitude increased by four times. Sword Dao Aptitude increased by three times.]
Following Han Zhao's breakthrough, good news came from the system interface.
The effect of the [Sword and Saber Duo] Trait had increased from three times to four times.
It was really a double blessing.
"I've broken through."
"Han Zhao broke through."
"What great strength!"
The sound of the wooden stake being cut off attracted the attention of Li Fei and the others. They stopped what they were doing.
Zhao Yuantu, who was teaching the newcomers boxing outside, jogged into the inner courtyard.
Looking at the broken wooden stake, Zhao Yuantu said in surprise, "Han Zhao, you've just broken through and you're already so strong?! This is snake-patterned wood. It's very hard. Even a martial artist at the perfected Skin Tempering Realm has to use all their strength to cut it."
Although he could destroy the snake-patterned wood with one punch, he was at the perfected Bone Tempering Realm, and Han Zhao had just broken through.
"This explosive power is amazing!"
Zhao Yuantu gave Han Zhao a thumbs up.
The two of them had a good relationship in this martial arts school.
Zhao Yuantu was more honest.
"I don't know either." Han Zhao imitated Zhao Yuantu's habit and scratched his head. "Maybe I was born stronger?"
"Natural divine strength?!" Zhao Yuantu's eyes lit up. "I'll go find my master."
With that, Zhao Yuantu ran towards the room, preparing to wake up Lu Yi, who was taking an afternoon nap.
"Congratulations, Han Zhao."
Some of the apprentices who were practicing fist techniques outside also surrounded him. Some people who had a good relationship with Han Zhao congratulated him.
The flow of apprentices in the martial arts school was very high. Every month, there would be old people giving up and new people joining. For people like them who learned fist techniques, it would be great if they could break through in half a year.
In this world, fists were tools to earn money. Even if they were only at the Skin Tempering Realm, it was enough for them to live a carefree life in the future.
Many people revealed envious gazes and continued practicing with all their might.
After a while, Lu Yi walked out. He came to Han Zhao's side, rolled up his sleeves, and tapped his arm twice.
Han Zhao immediately felt his arm heat up and his muscles begin to contract.
"Not bad." Lu Yi nodded.
Although Han Zhao's foundation was a little weak, if he really had a special physique that was born with divine strength, every time he broke through, he would be stronger than ordinary people, especially when he reached the Blood Tempering Realm. His blood qi would be much stronger than those of the same level.
This way, there was still a chance to cultivate Internal Force.
Lu Yi looked at the broken pieces of wood on the ground and pointed at the intact wooden stake at the side. "Han Zhao, slash with all your might again."
"Yes." Han Zhao came to another wooden stake and stood still. He mobilized the strength of his body and suddenly slashed out.
Crack!
The blade was stuck halfway into the wooden stake.
"Is this the Skin Tempering Realm?" This slash gave Han Zhao a more intuitive sense of his own strength, and the strength of his body increased significantly.
Previously, when he was chopping wooden stakes, his arms would ache and swell over time. He had to drink Vitality Soup every day to recover.
With such a heavy slash, his arm did not feel anything at all.
Before breaking through, he had also secretly tried to circulate his nourishing true qi to slash out with his saber. However, he only left a deeper saber mark on the wooden stake and could not cut through it at all.
The saber strike during the breakthrough used both physical strength and true qi to directly cut the wooden stake.
It could cut a wooden stake or cut a person into two.
Of course, with Lu Yi present, he did not dare to use his true qi.
"Your strength is indeed much stronger than an ordinary Skin Tempering Realm martial artist, but it's not a special physique that is born with divine strength." Lu Yi nodded, a trace of disappointment flashing in his eyes.
"What a pity." Han Zhao lowered his head and revealed a regretful expression.
Lu Yi was indeed good to him. As long as there was a chance, he would definitely find an opportunity to repay him, but the secret of true qi must not be exposed.
Never test human nature.
"Although you're not born with divine strength, your blood qi is very vigorous. Don't slack off. Continue to work hard," Lu Yi consoled.
"Yes, Master." Han Zhao clenched his fists.
Lu Yi nodded and turned to leave.
Han Zhao looked at the bright silver saber in his hand and Lu Yi's back. He opened his mouth.
"Oh right." Lu Yi suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around. He pointed at the saber in Han Zhao's hand and said, "According to the agreement, this Silver Frost Saber is yours."
"Thank you, Teacher Lu." Han Zhao smiled and bowed slightly.
"Junior Brother Han, congratulations." A petite girl walked forward and cupped her fists at Han Zhao. It was Xu Ling.
Xu Ling was petite, had a round face, and looked cute. At first glance, she looked like she was underage, and her personality was not bad. She felt that she was not suitable to practice domineering saber techniques, but was more suitable for agile sword techniques.
However, Han Zhao had seen how this senior sister looked when she rolled up her sleeves. Her arms were thicker than his and were filled with muscles. Furthermore, she had only practiced the saber technique for a year and had already reached the perfected Skin Tempering Realm. It was just that she had yet to completely master the first move, the Cross River Style, but she was already very fast.
[According to the frequency and rhythm of her breathing, it's very likely that she's using a bra wrap. She actually hid such a big matter.]
Faced with Xu Ling's kindness, Han Zhao looked into her eyes and returned the greeting with a smile. He ignored the notification in his vision. He didn't understand how such a serious person like him could have such a flashy system.
He had heard of the Xu family's trading company before. Although there didn't seem to be a Force Tempering Martial Master overseeing it, there were two or three quasi-Martial Masters in the Blood Tempering Realm, and they had a good relationship with various forces.
"I wonder if Junior Martial Brother Han is interested in registering your name at my Xu Family's rice store? You'll receive one tael a month as an allowance. You can just take the time to take a look occasionally."
Xu Ling continued and began to rope Han Zhao in.
Once martial artists entered the martial arts school, they would be roped in by various forces in the city. Although Skin Tempering martial artists were not strong, there were still small forces that took a fancy to them.
Xu Ling's condition was not for Han Zhao to sign a contract. It was just in name. Twelve taels of silver would come in a year.
The so-called nominal means that he would occasionally make a move. Moreover, it was under the circumstances that it was within his ability and not life-threatening.
Under normal circumstances, no one would dare to cause trouble for the Xu family. In name, it was equivalent to giving away money.
Signing a contract was different. Sometimes, he had to risk his life.
Han Zhao was a little hesitant because Xu Ling's conditions were too good.
Seeing that Han Zhao was worried, Xu Ling continued, "Of course, it's not like I don't have additional conditions. If Junior Brother Han continues to break through, be it in name or officially signing a contract, you have to prioritize the Xu family's rice store. Of course, your allowance won't be lacking."
Upon hearing this, Han Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for your good intentions, Senior Sister Xu. If the conditions are as you said, I'll agree."
Xu Ling's condition was very normal and reasonable.
"Alright, I'll bring the contract tomorrow." Xu Ling smiled, revealing two shallow dimples on her face.
"Okay."
Han Zhao nodded and returned to the side to practice alone.
Su Yun pulled Xu Ling to the side and whispered, "Xu Ling, do you have so much money that you can't use it all? With such good conditions, you can just sign a contract and hire a Bone Tempering martial artist. Don't tell me you like Han Zhao? Do you want him to marry into your Xu family?"
"Don't spout nonsense. It's not good if Junior Brother Han hears it!" Xu Ling glared at Su Yun and explained, "Junior Brother Han's comprehension is very high, but his foundation is a little lacking. What he lacks is only money."
"I don't know if I should say that you have a good heart or that you're naive." Su Yun shook her head.
"Everyone likes to add icing to the cake. I'll be the one to provide help in times of need."
Xu Ling smiled and said in a low voice.
Twelve taels a year was not a small sum of money, but it was nothing to her.
Rich people had their own worries.
Her family mainly ran the rice store and the cloth store. The most profitable cloth store was now in the hands of her second brother, while she ran the rice store. Six years later, whoever managed it well would be the head of the family.
Because of this, her second brother, who had a good relationship with her when she was young, had also distanced himself from her in the past few years.
If she succeeded in the competition, she would be able to tolerate her second brother.
However, if his second brother became the head of the family, he would probably not be able to tolerate her.
The best outcome was to find a husband.
It was very likely that he would marry her to a quasi-Martial Master or a Martial Master as a concubine.
Her elder sister had married a quasi-Martial Master in his sixties.
Han Zhao was not the first or the last person she had invested in. She believed that it would be better to provide help in times of need than to add icing to the cake.
Su Yun smiled and didn't comment.
She was used to seeing snobbish people. She was not as naive as Xu Ling.
…
Han Zhao practiced until evening. After drinking the Vitality Soup, she left the martial arts school and prepared to go home.
Just as he reached the door, a few apprentices caught up to him and invited him to join a small gang.
It was obvious that the news of him breaking through to the Skin Tempering Realm had spread throughout the afternoon.
However, this was normal.
Even if Han Zhao was only in the Skin Tempering Realm, he was also a weapon practitioner. He was slightly more powerful than those who practiced martial arts in the same realm.
One of the gangs that invited him was the Wild Dog Gang. However, Han Zhao rejected it directly. His impression of them was too bad! Moreover, this gang did all kinds of swindling and bullying.
He couldn't change, but he wasn't willing to join in.
If he wanted to bully someone, he would bully someone rich!
In the end, Han Zhao chose Edge Sharpening Manor, which had a good reputation and offered a higher price. They paid three taels of silver a month and required him to make a move once a year within his means.
From the comparison, one could tell how good Xu Ling's conditions were.
Recently, he taught all the children near Xinqiao District that he could. Teaching was already very difficult for him to earn more money.
The Xu family's and Edge Sharpening Manor's payments were crucial.
He now had six taels of silver on him. After deducting the consumption of food, at this speed of earning money, he would be able to gather one tael of gold in about five to six months.
"A rich woman is still the best!" Han Zhao sighed in his heart.
As long as he continued to work hard to increase his strength, his days would get better and better.
At the thought of this, he walked home much more briskly.
Since he had earned money, he was prepared to eat something good.
He would get twenty meat buns and a small pot of rice wine for dinner as a reward.
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Chapter 9
Half a year passed quietly.
It was the end of the month again.
After Han Zhao finished practicing in the evening, he did not go home directly. Instead, he went to the Xu family's rice store in the Changfeng District in the outer city. Today was the day to collect his allowance.
Now, he had ten taels of silver and eight copper coins. If he received another tael of silver, he could exchange them for one tael of gold.
Martial Arts: Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (First Level Small Mastery 77%), Life Nurturing Technique (First Level Small Mastery 56%)
Looking at his attributes, Han Zhao sighed in his mind.
The Life Nurturing Technique was still the same. On average, its progress increased by 1% every month.
As for the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, when he was at the Entry Level, he could increase his progress by 1% per day on average.
However, from the Small Mastery stage onwards, it became an average of two days to increase the progress by 1%.
It was not because the difficulty had increased, but because after reaching the Skin Tempering Realm, although Han Zhao's strength had increased greatly, the stamina consumption when practicing the saber technique had increased.
The Life Nurturing Technique could accelerate stamina recovery, but it required nutrition. Three meals a day was no longer enough to satisfy Han Zhao's appetite.
When he reached the Skin Tempering Realm, his income increased, but his appetite also increased greatly. He had already done his best to save so much money in five months.
It was mainly because his foundation was too poor.
[Sword and Saber Duo] could increase his saber technique aptitude, allowing his cultivation proficiency to increase very quickly. However, after training every day, the speed at which his body's strength increased would decrease.
He had to consume a large amount of meat to make his body stronger and break through to the Bone Tempering Realm as soon as possible.
Therefore, since saving could not be done, he could only open up new sources of income.
The earlier he increased his points and broke through, the sooner he could earn more money.
Soon, Han Zhao arrived at Changfeng District, which was next to the Tianhe District.
The front door of the Xu family's rice store was on the most prosperous East Street in Changfeng District. Behind the rice store was Xinqiao Beach, which was close to the river.
At this moment, large ships and small boats came and went, transporting rice from the ship to the back of the rice store.
The price of unshelled grains would be lower because the workers in the rice store still needed to process the rice.
It was used to put grains into a mortar and use a pestle to remove the shell or crush it. The shell produced by the pestle was bran. The tool used was a little like a medicine pot. It had a club and a container, and they used the club to smash the grain and break the shell of the grain.
Typically, poor families would pound the rice before selling it. This way, they could earn more money.
However, milling rice was a very heavy labor. An ordinary farming family of three to five people had to mill three to four times a month. To mill one mortar of rice, it would take at least two to three hundred hits. It would take nearly an hour.
Who knew how long this bag of rice would take?
The Xu rice store's business was very big. After the rice was processed, many sacks of rice would be carried back to the ship and then transported to the inner city.
On the other hand, the bran left behind after molting would be carried to a tavern or a large family as fuel for the stove or sent to a farmer's house as rations for livestock.
Many people in the slums would buy bran to satisfy their hunger.
A group of tanned men wearing straw hats passed by Han Zhao and walked excitedly toward the rice.
Han Zhao came back to his senses.
'Today is the day of the rice harvest.'
It was already the autumn of the second year.
It had been almost ten months since he came to this world.
A group of men surrounded the counter of the rice store and asked about the price of the rice.
Seeing this, Han Zhao waited at the door.
The sharp-eyed Shopkeeper Sun of the rice store saw Han Zhao at the door. The expression he had when he rolled his eyes at the men instantly disappeared, and he went up to him with a smile.
"Young Master Han, you're here to collect your allowance, right? Please wait a moment."
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Sun." Han Zhao cupped his hands.
Shopkeeper Sun returned to the counter and opened the cabinet. He took out a thumb-sized silver ingot and handed it over with both hands.
The men who came to the shop were eagerly looking at the silver in the shopkeeper's hand. However, when they noticed Han Zhao's training clothes, they hurriedly retracted their gazes.
"Many thanks, Shopkeeper Sun." Han Zhao took the silver and stuffed it into the money bag.
"Young Master Han, don't be so polite with me."
"Then I won't disturb you any longer. Goodbye."
"Take care, Young Master Han!" Shopkeeper Sun waved at Han Zhao's back.
At this moment, the new shop assistant could not help but step forward and whisper, "I'm so envious. He doesn't have to do anything and can get one tael of silver a month. I really don't know why Third Miss recruited him. She might as well…"
Slap!
The shopkeeper slapped the back of the shop assistant's head and interrupted him. He said fiercely, "Shut up. If you weren't my nephew, I would have kicked you out immediately!"
The shop assistant shrank his head.
The shopkeeper looked at Han Zhao's back and saw that he didn't stop. He knew that he didn't hear him. He heaved a sigh of relief and explained to his nephew in a low voice, "This Young Master Han might be the third son-in-law of the Xu family in the future. If you offend him, you're courting death!"
When the shop assistant heard this, he was finally afraid. He turned around and saw that the men were watching the commotion. He flew into a rage out of humiliation and said, "What are you looking at?!"
[Change is the only constant! Don't bully the poor while they're down! As long as you spend money, you can immediately become stronger. Then, you can slap this snobbish fellow in the face!]
The notification in his vision made Han Zhao speechless.
With his hearing and true qi cultivation, although the shop assistant's voice was very soft, he could still hear him clearly. However, he did not want to pay attention to such a guy.
He felt that if copper coins could be charged, this system might squeeze the last copper coin out of his pocket.
It could only be said that it was indeed a product of the capitalist world.
"What?! How can you fall so badly?!"
Before Han Zhao could walk far, she heard a raised voice from behind. It was filled with disappointment and shock.
"Even if you don't want to sell it, there are plenty of people who will!" Shopkeeper Sun's impolite voice rang out. "Our Xu family's rice store has always been the highest price. You won't be able to find another one!"
Han Zhao frowned slightly.
When he passed by the river and looked at the boats coming and going on the river, he suddenly recalled the article written in his middle school class in his previous life.
There was a line at the beginning: The port of the Wansheng Rice Line was moored with open boats coming out of the countryside. The boats were loaded with new rice, keeping the hull low.
He couldn't remember the rest of the original text, but it left a deep impression.
Han Zhao quickened his pace, and the sounds from the rice store completely disappeared from his ears.
…
After exchanging for gold, Han Zhao returned home.
"System, charge."
The 1 tael of gold in his hand instantly disappeared.
[Current Balance: 2 taels of gold.]
[25 Notification Fragments have been collected. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]
At this point, there was not much Yin energy left in Han Zhao's chest.
[Synthesized once. Consumed 15 Notification Fragments and 2 taels of gold. You will definitely obtain a one-time Basic Trait, Life Simulation. The probability of obtaining a White Trait will increase by 1%.]
"Yes."
[You have obtained the Basic Trait 'Life Simulation'. Do you want to start the simulation?]
"Yes."
[16 years old. You joined the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy to cultivate the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. You used three months to break through to the Skin Tempering Realm.]
[22 years old. You relied on the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to break through to the Bone Tempering Realm. You cultivated the Life Nurturing Technique to the Perfection Stage of the First Level and were about to break through.]
[You were roped in by the gangs and families in the city. You were listed in the 'Xu family's rice store', 'Heavenly Moon Gang', and 'Edge Sharpening Manor'. You earned 35 silver taels a year.]
[At the end of the year, Xu Ling failed in the competition for the family business and lost control of the Xu family's rice store. Your nominal income has decreased by two-thirds. In order to earn more money, you chose to become a Saber Hunter in the government.]
[23 years old. You caught three fugitives in a row in half a year and earned dozens of taels of silver. You became slightly famous in the vicinity.]
[24 years old. You relied on your income as a Saber Hunter to reach the perfected Bone Tempering Realm.]
[Three months later, you failed to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm, and your blood qi was damaged.]
[25 years old. Your Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the second level. Your damaged blood qi recovered to its peak state.]
[In order to increase the success rate of your breakthrough, you decided to save money to buy precious medicinal herbs.]
[In one mission, you chased after two fugitives. The other party lured you into a trap. Their accomplice was a martial artist at the perfected Bone Tempering Realm. The other party cultivated fist, palm, and leg martial arts. You resisted for a long time, but the three of them exhausted you to death.]
Han Zhao looked at the information in the simulation and thought to himself, "It took one less year to enter the Bone Tempering Realm. For now, there are still six years before Xu Ling loses the Xu family's rice store."
He had to cultivate harder. If he could, he could not let the rich lady go bankrupt.
His failure to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm had a lot to do with the loss of the Xu family's rice store.
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Chapter 10
[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]
[1: Obtain Trait (Not Selectable)]
[2: Obtained attribute points]
[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]
[Current Balance: 0]
"I can't choose a Trait anymore?" Han Zhao looked at the gray [Option 1] and was stunned.
As expected, the probability of one percent was still too low.
Originally, he was prepared to burn incense again! In any case, he owed Han Lin a thousand years, so it didn't matter if he owed him another thousand years.
"Two."
[Attribute Point 2]
"Hm? One more attribute point?!"
This system was actually quite particular. The price had increased, and the quality of the service had also increased.
There was no Trait, but his attribute points had increased.
Was it really a capitalist game?
Martial Arts: Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (First Level Small Mastery 77%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Explosive Level 1), Life Nurturing Technique (First Level Small Mastery 56%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 1)
Looking at the two attribute points and martial arts progress on the system interface, Han Zhao fell into deep thought.
With the addition of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, it was very likely that he would directly break through to the second level and advance to the Bone Tempering Realm.
However, he had only learned the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique for nine months.
Li Fei's aptitude was not bad, and he came from the Li family, a large family in the inner city. He had also studied for two years before breaking through at the age of 18.
Zhang Tianwen, Su Yun, and Xu Ling had all broken through in about two years.
If he advanced in nine months, without the support of a large number of resources, this cultivation speed was too suspicious.
In particular, Lu Yi would periodically check their cultivation progress. With the strength of a Force Tempering Martial Master, he could roughly tell how good his Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was with just a touch of his arm.
No!
"I might not even be able to advance to the second level if I split the points."
After thinking for a moment, Han Zhao decided to add all 2 attribute points to the Life Nurturing Technique.
In any case, true qi was helpful for cultivating cultivation methods outside. It was the same for the Life Nurturing Technique to break through earlier.
Moreover, the instantaneous explosive power of true qi was even more ferocious.
Thinking of this, Han Zhao muttered, "Upgrade the Life Nurturing Technique."
When his attribute points returned to zero, he felt his entire body begin to heat up. Endless power surged from his body.
After a long time, the long-lasting heat slowly disappeared.
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Entry Level 2%. Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 2)
"On the surface, I'm a Skin Tempering Realm martial artist, but my true strength is at the Bone Tempering Realm."
Han Zhao thought to himself that there would be corresponding changes to the body when practicing external cultivation, but there were no such changes for internal cultivation.
For example, for martial artists who practiced the Mountain Shaking Fist, every time they broke through a level, their fists would become hard and change color. The first three levels were divided into gray jade, white jade, and black jade.
When his fist turned greenish-black, he would be close to grasping Internal Force and becoming a Force Tempering Martial Master.
Han Zhao practiced the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique mainly to train his arms. At the Skin Tempering Realm, his arms would only heat up. He heard from Lu Yi that when he reached the Bone Tempering stage, his arms would turn red in battle.
"Martial Masters who can open a martial arts school in Blackrock City are all very famous. The famous martial arts techniques of every Martial Master are not a secret…"
Han Zhao suddenly thought of a battle method that was suitable for him.
"If I deliberately expose my arm in a life and death battle for others to see, wouldn't I be able to suddenly erupt with true qi at the critical moment to trick others? Then, I can win with a single strike!"
…
A month later.
Outside Blackrock City.
There was a relatively hidden cave at the foot of Black Wind Mountain.
A young man in white walked out of the cave. He was tall and straight, with a long saber at his waist and a fox mask.
"I didn't expect the Saber Hunters' stronghold in Blackrock City to be outside the city."
The young man held a black token in his left hand. On the front was the word "Hunter", and on the back was the name "Song Que."
He was holding a wanted poster in his right hand. It had the head of a wanted criminal drawn on it.
The letter said, "Flower Picking Bee, Kuai Wei, is at the Skin Tempering Realm. He is good at movement technique and is wanted for 10 taels of silver."
Han Zhao looked at Kuai Wei's portrait and the corners of her mouth curled up under the mask.
As his Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the Second Level, his appetite increased again. He had finished all the cured meat and dried radishes at home.
For those who were similarly at the Skin Tempering Realm, martial artists who practiced weapons naturally had the advantage, so Han Zhao agreed to a few small gangs' recruitments.
These small gangs didn't have much money, but they were quite well-informed.
He learned from a small gang that the Saber Hunter was a helper of the government. As long as they could catch the criminal, the government had no other requirements.
Missions and identities were not restrictive. There were many people like Han Zhao who didn't show their faces and used fake names.
With his current strength, the danger of doing this job was very low.
Furthermore, without actual combat and bloodshed, his combat strength would definitely be reduced. Therefore, Han Zhao became a Saber Hunter.
He could earn some extra money to supplement his expenses.
"To celebrate my becoming a Saber Hunter, I'll use you as a saber sacrifice, Kuai Wei."
Han Zhao folded the wanted order in his hand.
For the first order, he would find a soft persimmon to bully.
…
Half a month later.
North of Black Wind Mountain, in a forest halfway up the mountain.
A thin young man with long arms and legs kept moving through the forest. He used his hands and feet like an agile ape, jumping between the trees.
However, his right leg seemed to be injured. As he ran, blood dripped from time to time on the treetops.
It was as if something was chasing him from behind, causing him to not have the time to stop and treat his wound.
"Hidden weapon!"
Swoosh!
The sharp sound of something breaking through the air rang in Kuai Wei's ears. He jumped forward and suddenly turned sideways. A thumb-sized stone flew past his scalp.
"F*ck!"
Kuai Wei lost his footing and fell from the treetop.
Immediately, he controlled his body and pounced on the grass in front of him. He rolled on the ground and stabilized his body. Then, he leaned against a big tree and stared at the bushes behind him.
Han Zhao, who was dressed in black and wearing a fox mask, walked out of the bushes.
He had been searching for Kuai Wei for half a month and had yet to find any traces of him. He was already prepared to give up.
That was until the other party took the risk and entered the Xinqiao District outside Black Stone City to pick flowers. Unexpectedly, there were two Skin Tempering martial artists in the other party's family. In the end, his right leg was injured by a sneak attack.
The commotion attracted Han Zhao's attention.
However, Kuai Wei seemed to know something like Bone Shrinking Technique and directly crawled out of the dog hole.
With the other party's injured right leg, Han Zhao chased for more than ten minutes before barely catching up.
"Brother, let me go. I'll give you all the money I have. How about that?" Kuai Wei looked a little flustered and was panting.
"Your leg skills are really impressive. You can still run so quickly even though you're injured."
Han Zhao held the hilt of his saber and slowly approached the other party. He was not in a hurry to attack.
"How about this, how about I give you my 'Flying Swallow' leg technique? This technique can be cultivated to the Bone Tempering Realm. It's very strong! Even if you sell it, it'll be worth at least dozens of taels. It's much more valuable than my head!" Kuai Wei's forehead was covered in sweat, and his face was filled with fear. His right leg kept trembling as if it was in so much pain that he couldn't take it anymore. His voice was filled with pleading.
As he spoke, his hands trembled as he fumbled in his arms, as if he was about to take out the secret manual.
"Clang~" Han Zhao slowly pulled out his long saber.
"Go to hell!" Seeing Han Zhao take a few more steps forward, the fear on Kuai Wei's face completely disappeared. He revealed a mocking smile and suddenly threw a large handful of lime powder at Han Zhao.
The moment he threw the lime powder, Han Zhao retreated as if he had predicted it.
Seeing this, Kuai Wei threw out two more handfuls of lime powder.
"Ah! My eyes!" Han Zhao's painful cry came from the lime dust.
Kuai Wei grabbed another two handfuls of lime powder from his arms and turned around to run.
"Stop right there!" Han Zhao shouted angrily.
Swoosh!
A sharp air-piercing sound came from behind the lime powder.
Kuai Wei dodged to the side, and the wooden scabbard shot past.
"A scabbard?!"
Swoosh!
Another sound.
This time, a long saber flew out.
"Pfft!"
The blade stabbed into the tree beside him. The tip of the blade went four inches into the tree trunk. The blade trembled, and the bright silver blade let out a clear sound.
"Idiot!" Kuai Wei sneered. He knew that this kid was anxious. He actually threw out the scabbard and saber to stop him from escaping. It was obvious that he was a newbie.
Kuai Wei didn't want to run from the start. Since he dared to chase after him, he had to pay the price.
It wasn't easy for him to break through to the Bone Tempering Realm this time. He was just about to go to the outer city to find a few pretty girls, but he didn't expect to be so unlucky. He was ambushed by two Skin Tempering martial artists and severely injured his most important leg.
After that, he was chased by this Skin Tempering Realm Saber Hunter for nearly an hour. He had to vent his anger.
"Go to hell and regret it!" Kuai Wei suddenly kicked the tree trunk behind him and jumped into the air. He threw the two handfuls of lime powder in his hand at Han Zhao. At the same time, he kicked his left heel with his right foot, and a two-inch-long dagger instantly popped out from the gap between the toes of his left foot.
Kuai Wei's blood qi surged as he kicked Han Zhao's head with the tip of his foot. With his full-power attack at the Bone Tempering Realm, even if this kid reacted, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.
At this moment, a three-foot-square piece of linen flew out of the dust.
Crackle!
Kuai Wei's leg pierced through the linen cloth and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his right thigh, followed by his lower abdomen.
"Ah!"
He screamed as his body fell to the ground.
"Pfft!"
The sharp weapon pierced through his back and out of his chest, revealing a small part of the tip of the blade.
Immediately after, a strong force came from behind him. He was kicked to the ground by Han Zhao.
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Chapter 11
"You… You are… Bone Tempering…" Kuai Wei's body convulsed as his vitality rapidly drained from his body. He did not expect that the other party was also an expert at the Bone Tempering Realm, especially when he was a saber practitioner which was stronger than him, a leg practitioner. He actually kept pretending to be in the Skin Tempering Realm.
At this moment, Han Zhao put away his spare dagger and took off the fox mask on his face. "Aren't you also at Bone Tempering?"
His mouth and nose were tightly wrapped in cloth, and his eyes were covered with a white veil.
As Han Zhao had been killed by lime powder, sleeve arrows, and poison in the simulation, he was especially careful and was fully prepared.
He bought a spare dagger and leather armor on credit at Edge Sharpening Manor.
Then, he used his remaining money to buy some antidote pills.
In the end, he only used the spare dagger and the white veil.
"You… lied to me…" Kuai Wei looked at Han Zhao and knew that he wasn't blinded by lime powder at all. He immediately coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood.
How could anyone be more sinister than him?
With such unwillingness and hatred, he closed his eyes forever.
"Phew…" Han Zhao heaved a sigh of relief and took off the white veil covering his eyes. In order to adapt to his vision after being covered by the white veil, he spent a long time training every day.
He had already felt that something was wrong when he was chasing after him just now. Although the other party was a Skin Tempering martial artist who was good at leg techniques, his speed was still so fast even with his injured right leg.
Especially when he used a portion of his nourishing true qi to accelerate, the other party's speed correspondingly increased. He felt that this Flower Picking Bee was hiding his strength.
After giving it a try, the outcome was as expected.
Fortunately, he had also hidden his strength.
Speaking of which, Bone Tempering martial artists were considered the backbone of Blackrock City's combat strength. If they joined a large family clan in the city, they could live quite well. There was no need for them to be flower thieves. This guy was truly unique.
"Meeting on a narrow path, steady and brave!" He walked to the side of a big tree and pulled out the long saber on the tree trunk.
Then, he used his saber to flip Kuai Wei's body over. He opened the clothes on Kuai Wei's chest and found a few small bags of lime powder and a porcelain bottle containing pink powder.
There were also three booklets and some silver pieces. There were about seven to eight taels of silver.
One of the pamphlets was the Flying Swallow Technique that Kuai Wei had mentioned. It was not bad to be able to cultivate the leg technique to the Blood Tempering Realm.
However, he was not prepared to divert his attention to cultivating another leg technique. After all, his aptitude was there.
If it was a saber or sword technique, he might have kept it for now and cultivated it when the time was right.
Thinking of this, he looked at another booklet—Yin Plucking Technique.
It was obvious that the name was not a proper cultivation technique.
He opened it and saw that it was a cultivation technique that specialized in plucking women's Yin Essence.
The last book was the Bone Shrinking Technique. After mastering it, one could change their figure. They could even move their facial bones and muscles for a short period of time to achieve the effect of disguise.
Han Zhao put away the three cultivation methods.
After looting the crates, he could not help but sigh. "Killing is truly the fastest path to wealth!"
Even without the bounty, there were dozens of taels of silver on this trip. However, how to sell this cultivation method was a problem.
There were naturally many people in Blackrock City who could fork out dozens of taels in one go, but he didn't want to be in the limelight. Otherwise, there was no need for him to hide his identity and be a Saber Hunter.
"Puchi!" Han Zhao turned the long saber in his hand and Kuai Wei's head left his body. Then, he wrapped the head with a cloth.
Looking at Kuai Wei's headless corpse, he thought for a moment and dug out a hole with the other short knife he carried with him. Then, he pushed Kuai Wei's corpse into the hole and began to fill the soil.
At the same time, he muttered, "Kuai Wei, I'll let you rest in peace. If you become a ghost, don't come to me. Otherwise, I'll have to kill you again. Be a good person in your next life."
Just as Han Zhao began to fill in the soil, there was a sound from the bushes, followed by hurried footsteps.
Two muscular men walked out and were stunned when they saw Han Zhao 'skillfully' burying the corpse.
[Two Skin Tempering martial artists. You can easily kill them, but if you do, you still have to dig two more pits. One pit definitely can't fit them all.]
"…" Han Zhao paused.
The two of them sized up the headless corpse's clothes and reacted.
"Friend, did you kill the Flower Picking Bee?" One of the men asked loudly.
"Yes." Han Zhao lowered his voice and continued to fill in the soil.
"This Flower Picking Bee was injured by our sneak attack," another man said.
"So what?" Han Zhao's tone was calm.
"He's a Bone Tempering martial artist. You must have expended a lot of energy to kill him, right?"
"So?" Han Zhao raised his head and looked at the other party.
As long as they did not provoke him, he was too lazy to make a move. However, if they insisted on forcing him, there was nothing he could do.
"According to the rules of the martial world, the rewards for your killings naturally belong to you. Sorry for disturbing you." The expression of the man who was the first to speak changed slightly. He cupped his fists at Han Zhao and pulled the other person away.
"Zhang San, what are you doing?! We…" The other man seemed unwilling, but he was quickly dragged away with his mouth covered.
After the two of them walked a few hundred meters in one go, the man finally could not help but shout, "Zhang San! Why didn't he take the opportunity to attack just now? He must have consumed a lot of stamina after killing the Flower Picking Bee. He might even be injured. It's not impossible to win a two-on-one."
"Do you think we can provoke someone who still has the leisure to dig a hole and bury a corpse after killing a martial artist of the same level?"
"This… seems to be the case."
"Let's go. Staying alive is the most important."
…
Han Zhao heard the commotion and sped up when she saw that the two of them had really left.
He had basically heard from Lu Yi that there were 20 to 30 Force Tempering Martial Masters in the city, and 12 of them had opened martial arts schools.
As for quasi-Martial Masters at the Blood Tempering Realm, they were all well-known figures.
Force Tempering Martial Masters usually did not attack. Blood Tempering was the top combat strength of Blackrock City.
There were only 40 to 50 martial artists at this level. The reason why there were so few was that many martial artists at the Blood Tempering Realm had gone to larger cities.
Although big cities were more dangerous, there were also more opportunities for breakthroughs.
Reaching the Blood Tempering Realm could increase one's lifespan by 20 years. Before the age of 40, one's blood qi would be at its peak and one would have more time to advance to become a Force Tempering Martial Master.
Those who stayed in Blackrock City were either relatively young or over 40 years old. Their chances of advancement were greatly reduced.
As for experts at the Bone Tempering Realm, Lu Yi did not say how many there were. At his level, he probably only cared about quasi-Martial Masters at the Blood Tempering Realm and experts at the same realm.
After letting Kuai Wei rest in peace, Han Zhao carried his head to collect the reward money.
What he did not expect was that gold could be exchanged in the saber hunter's stronghold, and the exchange rate for gold and silver was 1:11.
This was much safer than exchanging at the bank in the city. After all, it was easy to attract attention if he exchanged it too many times.
Before he was strong enough, his identity as a Saber Hunter was more suitable for him to hide and develop.
After all, what did Song Que's fame have to do with him?
When he returned this time, he would cultivate the Bone Shrinking Technique to increase his insurance of hiding his identity.
Then, he asked around where he could buy and sell cultivation methods. In the end, the stronghold also accepted cultivation methods, so he sold the Flying Swallow Technique for 70 taels and the Yin Plucking Technique for 11 taels. In addition to the 10 taels of silver reward he obtained from killing Kuai Wei, he exchanged it for 8 taels of gold on the spot, leaving him with 3 taels of silver.
As a leg technique that could be cultivated to the Blood Tempering Realm, the Flying Swallow Technique could be sold for a higher price, but it was indeed very convenient to directly use it.
If he went to the black market and was targeted, he would be in trouble.
It was better to avoid trouble.
He had to develop and increase his strength first. When the time came, he could earn more money.
"Lord Song, this is your gold. Please keep it well." The official handed 8 taels of gold and 3 taels of silver to Han Zhao and reminded him, "Lord Song, according to the rules, you can keep a copy of these cultivation methods, but you can't sell them again. Otherwise…"
Before the official could finish speaking, Han Zhao replied, "Don't worry, I understand the rules."
No one wanted the cultivation methods they had spent money to buy to be common goods, especially since these cultivation methods could not be used to grasp Internal Force. If they were copied in large quantities, the price of such cultivation methods would plummet.
Otherwise, he could have copied dozens or hundreds of copies. Even if he sold one for a few taels of silver, he could still earn a large sum.
However, destroying the market would cause a lot of trouble. He did not want to try.
Any cultivation method that could be cultivated to the Blood Tempering Realm would have an exclusive blood qi circulation diagram. If one did not cultivate the cultivation method to the corresponding level, it was impossible to copy it.
As the saying went, the slightest mistake could lead to a thousand miles of error.
Back then, when Han Zhao handed the Thousand Silk Guide to Lu Yi in public, this was also the reason why no one suspected that he had left behind a copy.
As for selling the copied cultivation technique and keeping it for himself, he would not do such a stupid thing.
Even if high-level martial artists did not cultivate their cultivation methods to the corresponding level, they could still see some clues.
Those cultivation techniques that could only be cultivated to the Bone Tempering Realm were not even interesting to him. In any case, he would not cultivate them.
Before reaching the Blood Tempering Realm, he would only major in the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and the Life Nurturing Technique. At most, he would add one sword technique.
Cultivating other cultivation methods would completely slow down his cultivation progress. The gains would not make up for the losses.
After putting away the money, Han Zhao left the Saber Hunter stronghold.
After walking into the deserted forest, he changed out of his mask and clothes and put them away in his bag.
As for the 8 taels of gold in his pocket, he directly charged it into the system.
[Current Balance: 8 taels of gold]
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Chapter 12
Han Zhao returned to Blackrock City and headed straight for Xinqiao District.
When he got home, he closed the door tightly and muttered, "System."
[Current Balance: 8 taels of gold.]
[40 Notification Fragments have been collected. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]
The number of Notification Fragments was decreasing. Although the notifications usually appeared only at critical moments under Han Zhao's deliberate control, it was still unavoidable for them to appear when his emotions fluctuated.
Because of the black bead, Han Lin and his predecessor were both dead. The danger was probably very deep, and Han Zhao didn't dare to pursue it yet.
[Synthesized once. Consumed 20 Notification Fragments and 3 taels of gold. You will definitely obtain a one-time Basic Trait 'Life Simulation'. The probability of obtaining a White Trait will increase by 2%. The probability of obtaining a Green Trait will increase by 1%.]
"The price has gone up."
Han Zhao looked at the information displayed on the system interface and was already mentally prepared.
Because the Life Nurturing Technique had been upgraded to the Second Level, which was almost the Bone Tempering Realm of the Internal Force cultivation method, the price of synthesis had increased again. This was also within his expectations.
However, it was not a bad thing to increase the probability of obtaining a Trait.
Han Zhao thought to himself, "If I continue to add points like this, when I reach the Second Level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and break through to the Bone Tempering Realm, will the Life Nurturing Technique be about to reach the Third Level?"
After reaching the Second Level of the Life Nurturing Technique, his cultivation progress in the past half a month began to slow down, but the power of his true qi had indeed increased.
It did not matter if his cultivation was slow. When the power of his true qi increased, his combat strength would naturally increase, and it would be easier to earn money.
"Synthesize."
[You have obtained the Basic Trait 'Life Simulation'. Do you want to start the simulation?]
"Yes."
[16 years old. You joined the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy to cultivate the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. You used three months to break through to the Skin Tempering Realm.]
[17 years old. Your Life Nurturing Technique has broken through to the Second Level, and your actual combat strength is comparable to the Bone Tempering Realm. You helped Edge Sharpening Manor solve a small problem, but in the end, you provoked the bandits of the Flying Dragon Stockade on Nine Links Mountain. After further investigation, you found that things were not simple and decided to leave.]
[20 years old. Your Mountain Splitting Saber Technique has reached the Second Level. Your realm has broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm.]
[You were roped in by the gangs and families in the city. You registered your name in a few small and medium-sized forces and earn 40 taels of silver a year. You continued to do the work of the Saber Hunter behind their backs.]
[Due to the Bone Shrinking Technique, you have perfectly concealed your identity. In about two years, Saber Hunter Song Que became famous in Blackrock City. However, there are fewer and fewer wanted criminals nearby, and your income has begun to decrease.]
[22 years old. You have perfected the second move of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and reached the peak of the Bone Tempering Realm. In order to prevent your breakthrough from failing, you wanted to make more preparations. Lu Yi also gathered some precious herbs for you.]
[In the same year, Xu Lingxu asked you to support her in the competition for the family business after breaking through to the Blood Tempering Realm. You agreed to her request.]
[At the end of the year, everything was ready. You started to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm at home. Just as you were about to succeed, you were suddenly attacked by a quasi-Martial Master at the Blood Tempering Realm. Your breakthrough failed, and your blood qi was greatly damaged.]
[You relied on the Second Level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and the Second Level of the Life Nurturing Technique to hold on bitterly against the other party. In the end, another expert at the Blood Tempering Realm appeared and killed you.]
"It's true that humans die for wealth and birds die for food. Is the Xu family's danger so deep?"
The Xu family had actually sent two Blood Tempering martial artists to deal with him. What a move.
In other words, Xu Ling had lost the competition for the family business.
The Xu family had three quasi-Martial Masters at the Blood Tempering Realm. From the looks of it, two of them supported the second young master of the Xu family.
He remembered that this second young master's name was Xu Jin. His talent was not as good as Xu Ling's, but because he was an only son, he was more favored.
"Since you don't care about morals, I won't be polite. I have to think of a way to kill this Xu Jin." A cold glint flashed across Han Zhao's eyes.
[After Xu Ling inherits the family business, you can marry her and save 20 years of hard work. If you make two kids in three years, you will obtain great authority. At that time, you can use the entire Xu family's fortune. You will definitely advance by leaps and bounds.]
The notification in his vision made the muscles on Han Zhao's forehead twitch.
This system was really thinking of ways to get him to make money at all times.
Was he such a freeloader?
He would never steal someone else's business.
In this simulation, the speed at which he broke through to the Bone Tempering Realm was two years ahead of time. Clearly, as the Life Nurturing Technique improved, the effect of cultivation methods on the outside world became greater and greater.
[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]
[1: Obtain Trait (Not Selectable)]
[2: Obtained attribute points]
[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]
[Current Balance: 5 taels of gold]
Han Zhao looked at the options in front of him. The first option was still gray. Could it be that his luck had run out?
Without a Trait, there was no need to think about it.
"Two."
[Attribute Point 2]
It was still two points.
Was it because his cultivation level had not increased?
His Life Nurturing Technique had already broken through to the Second Level.
Could it be calculated based on his external cultivation, or both?
Or did he not charge enough?
Han Zhao suddenly became suspicious of himself.
Martial Arts: Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (First Level Small Mastery 99%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Explosive Level 1), Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Entry Level 4%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 2)
After coming back to his senses, Han Zhao looked at the martial arts column.
Since the Life Nurturing Technique was so powerful, all he had to do was increase the attribute points.
This way, he would definitely be able to advance faster in the next simulation.
"Upgrade the Life Nurturing Technique."
A comfortable feeling emerged, but unlike the last time when he broke through, he felt as if his entire body was soaking in a hot spring.
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Small Mastery 85%. Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 3)
Suddenly, all the muscles in Han Zhao's body spasmed. Accompanied by the intense pain in his body, cracking sounds came from his bones.
However, this pain came and went quickly. In an instant, it disappeared without a trace.
'My strength has increased significantly again. My true qi has increased by half.'
According to his performance in the simulation just now, as long as he cultivated the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to the Second Level, he would probably be the strongest small group of people in the Bone Tempering Realm. As for whether he could fight someone in the Blood Tempering Realm, he did not want to try.
Although it didn't sound good, he still liked to hide his strength and erupt at the critical moment.
It was best to rely on one's realm to crush the enemy. He did not like to challenge those above his level.
After adapting to the changes in his body, Han Zhao prepared to continue simulating. This time, he would definitely be able to advance faster.
However, he did not take action immediately. Instead, he got up from the bed and stood in front of the table against the wall.
A memorial tablet and an incense burner were placed on it.
In the end, he had taken advantage of the other party, so he made Han Lin a memorial tablet.
Han Zhao lit three incense sticks and inserted them. He pressed his palms together with a pious expression and muttered, "Oh father of the other Han Zhao, bless me with a Trait. I'm not greedy. I don't want the green one. Just a white one will do."
After praying, Han Zhao muttered to himself.
"System."
[20 Notification Fragments have been collected. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]
[Synthesized once. Consumed 20 Notification Fragments and 3 taels of gold. You will definitely obtain the Basic Trait 'Life Simulation'…]
The price did not increase.
"Synthesize. Beginning simulation."
[16 years old. You joined the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy to cultivate the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. You used three months to break through to the Skin Tempering Realm.]
[19 years old. Your Mountain Splitting Saber Technique reached the Second Level and you have broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm. Lu Yi began to focus on nurturing you.]
[Many forces in the city extended an olive branch to you. You were still secretly working as a Saber Hunter.]
[21 years old. Your Mountain Splitting Saber Technique reached the peak of the Bone Tempering Realm. Half a year later, your Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the Third Level. Your overall strength was comparable to a Blood Tempering Realm martial artist who had undergone the first Blood Qi Breakthrough.]
[Lu Yi has begun to gather some precious medicinal herbs for you. At the same time, he has opened the basic diagram of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to you so that you can familiarize yourself with the Mountain Splitting Force in advance.]
[22 years old. You successfully broke through to the Blood Tempering Realm and reached the first Blood Qi Breakthrough. Then, you shocked everyone in the martial arts school competition. In order to prevent the Life Nurturing Technique from being exposed, you finally lost to an expert who had reached the second Blood Qi Breakthrough in the Overlord Fist Academy. However, your strength has already caused a sensation. In order to fight for you, the large factions in the city all offered generous conditions.]
[Xu Ling successfully inherited the family business with your help. She provided you with a large number of resources every year.]
[The county magistrate of Blackrock City personally held a banquet to entertain you. He wanted to rope you in to the city guards and guaranteed that he would recommend you to join the Heavenly Prefecture Martial Arts Academy in two years.]
[During a mission, you and the city guards encountered a Blood Tempering Realm murderer. You cut the other party in half with a single slash. Everyone called your attack a move from heaven and labeled you as 'Heavenly Saber'. You found a sword technique manual called 'Demonic Tiger Force' from the other party, but unfortunately, it lacked the basic diagram to grasp Internal Force.]
[23 years old. You felt that your cultivation speed was getting slower and slower. The flattery, wine, and sex from the various large factions in the city made you indulge in luxury for a moment.]
[Lu Yi advised you to settle down and marry his daughter, Lu Yingxuan, to you. Lu Yingxuan was already a Force Tempering Martial Master and didn't agree to this marriage, but she promised that if you could become a Force Tempering Martial Master within three years, she would marry you. You rejected all social engagements and focused on cultivation.]
[26 years old. You cultivated diligently for three years and actually managed to grasp Internal Force in one go, becoming a Force Tempering Martial Master. Lu Yingxuan fulfilled her promise and married you. She also agreed to move her entire family to the Heavenly Prefecture after you got married.]
[On the day of the wedding, someone from the prefecture capital's martial arts academy came to congratulate you. That night, a black-clothed person barged in and interrogated you about the whereabouts of the Essence Soul Bead. You and Lu Yingxuan joined forces, but you were still not a match and both died.]
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Chapter 13
"Essence Soul Bead?"
Seeing the last line of information in the simulation, Han Zhao thought of the black bead that Han Lin had brought back.
That thing was the source of energy for the notification to synthesize the Trait.
Without this energy, he would not be able to simulate it no matter how much money he had.
Han Zhao was not strong enough now. He could not keep up with the speed at which the Notification Fragment appeared. As his strength increased, he would not have enough Yin energy in the future.
The information in the simulation had already indicated that the Essence Soul Bead was related to the prefecture capital. He could not reach it for the time being.
Instead of fantasizing, it was better to cultivate diligently.
As long as he was strong enough, all problems could be easily resolved. There were still nine years before he turned 26 and the Cloud Prefecture got into chaos.
The Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was indeed more and more difficult to cultivate towards the end. With his four times Saber Dao Aptitude, his cultivation speed did not increase qualitatively, but it was much faster than when he was simulating it previously.
In the simulation, he did not have a system, so he could only rely on his own hard work. Fortunately, his nourishing true qi was powerful, making his external cultivation speed faster and faster.
"Master Lu is such a loyal person! I must not implicate him."
Han Zhao thought to himself as his thoughts returned to the system interface.
[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]
[1: Obtain Trait (Selectable)]
[2: Obtained attribute points]
[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]
[Current Balance: 2 taels of gold]
Han Zhao's eyes lit up.
Looking at the options in front of him, [Option 1] showed that he could choose it.
"One."
[Received Trait: Basic Master.]
Basic Master: White Trait. The cultivation speed of basic martial arts is doubled. The probability of breaking through the upper limit is greatly increased. (Can be upgraded to Green Trait through cultivation. The upper limit is Blue Trait.)
"Could it be that I'm really lucky?! Or… is it that Han Lin's spirit in heaven is protecting me?"
Han Zhao looked happy.
Although it was not a Green Trait, this White Trait was very useful to him.
This was because the Life Nurturing Technique was a basic cultivation method.
He just didn't know if the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique counted.
All in all, it was a huge profit.
…
The next day.
In the morning.
Han Zhao woke up early to eat and cultivate the Life Nurturing Technique.
After obtaining the [Basic Master] Trait yesterday, he cultivated from noon to night.
Originally, he felt that his cultivation progress was a little slow, but in the end, his progress immediately doubled. This feeling fascinated him.
He really wished he could stay at home every day and break through to the Third Level of the Life Nurturing Technique before going out.
Of course, this was just his imagination.
After the cultivation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was on the right track, he didn't have to go to the martial arts school every day. However, he had been going late and leaving early for the Flower Picking Bee recently. His attitude wasn't good.
Although the Life Nurturing Technique could be cultivated by sitting down, the cultivation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique still required a venue.
He could also receive Lu Yi's guidance in the martial arts school and undergo actual combat training with Zhao Yuantu.
Han Zhao guessed that the Flower Picking Bee had broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm, but he still had the guts to chase after him. Other than being fully prepared, the most important thing was that he had practiced with Zhao Yuantu many times and had a relatively direct understanding of the combat strength of the Bone Tempering Realm.
After cultivating for a few hours, Han Zhao got off bed.
As he had cultivated many times, he basically had a rough idea in his mind.
Han Zhao walked to the courtyard and looked up in the direction of the sun. He roughly estimated the time and quickly flew to the wall. He stepped on the top of the wooden shelf and used the momentum to jump over the wall.
It was almost lunchtime.
Every day, he would rely on this meal to eat something good. Although Zhao Yuantu would leave food for him if he went late, it would be better if the two of them fought to eat.
Thinking of this, Han Zhao quickly ran toward the Yejiang District.
As soon as he entered the martial arts school, he saw only a few people practicing. The rest of the people were gathered in the middle of the front yard.
Surrounded by the crowd was the baldy, Zhao Yuantu.
Even Lu Yi, who usually lay on the rattan chair and munched on melon seeds most of the time, was all smiles.
"What's going on?" Han Zhao asked an apprentice.
"Eldest Senior Brother has broken through to the Blood Tempering Realm and become a quasi-Martial Master!" the other party said excitedly. Envy, longing, and jealousy filled his expression.
"That's indeed a joyous occasion." Han Zhao's eyes lit up.
Someone was going to treat them!
It wasn't that Lu Yi had never taught a quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm in the past, but as he grew older and his strength decreased over the years, the qualifications of the disciples he accepted were indeed a little poor.
Of course, this was mainly related to his more hospitable way of charging.
The commoners with no background were naturally grateful to Lu Yi. However, to some rich children, Lu Yi would accept anyone and charge them so cheaply. They were unwilling to come.
Firstly, it felt like it was beneath him to mix with a group of low-class people.
Secondly, it was also because Lu Yi had not taught a quasi-Martial Master who cultivated the Mountain Splitting Saber, so they doubted his teaching standards.
For example, the top three martial arts schools in the city all had direct descendants of large families in the inner city learning martial arts. What they wanted was an expensive place.
"Han Zhao."
Seeing the smiling Han Zhao behind him, Zhao Yuantu pushed aside the crowd around him and walked to his side.
"Senior Brother, congratulations!" Han Zhao cupped his fists.
"Hehe, I didn't expect to suddenly break through either. I'm lucky." Zhao Yuantu scratched his head and smiled like a fool. He was already 24 years old this year and was less than a year away from the age of 25. In the end, he happened to break through before the limit.
"You don't have to eat in the kitchen today, right? You've become a quasi-Martial Master, so you have to treat us!" Han Zhao smiled.
Unless Force Tempering Martial Masters were mortal enemies, they would not fight at all. If there was a problem, it would be the disciples below. A quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm was already the top combat power in the city.
"That's for sure." Zhao Yuantu stretched out his fan-like hand and patted Han Zhao's shoulder.
Seeing how close Zhao Yuantu was to Han Zhao, some apprentices could not help but regret not befriending Zhao Yuantu earlier.
Previously, although Zhao Yuantu was the eldest senior brother and had even helped Lu Yi teach the newcomers, he was almost 25 years old and had little hope of breaking through. Therefore, he was not taken seriously by those apprentices with good conditions. They did not offend him, but they would not deliberately rope him in.
After all, they were only interested in people of the same level, or the four people in the inner courtyard other than Han Zhao.
Now that Zhao Yuantu had broken through and become a quasi-Martial Master, he had made a comeback. He was now a famous figure in Blackrock City.
"Yuantu, you only broke through when you were almost 25 years old. You're only 15 years away from reaching the peak of blood qi at the age of 40. You have to work hard to have a chance to grasp Internal Force. Don't be arrogant and complacent." Although Lu Yi was happy, he still poured cold water on Zhao Yuantu. However, he understood this disciple's personality, so he spoke very bluntly.
"Yes, Master. I'll work hard," Zhao Yuantu said seriously. He had always listened to advice.
"The next step is to find a good place for you," Lu Yi added. Grasping Internal Force required a large number of resources. Someone like Zhao Yuantu, who had no background, had to rely on a large faction.
"Thank you, Master."
After Lu Yi finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Han Zhao and asked, "What's your situation recently?"
"Teacher Lu, I've recently taken on some work as I'm short of money."
"Okay, as long as your cultivation progress doesn't fall behind, it's fine. I'll check it regularly." Lu Yi nodded.
"Yes, Teacher Lu," Han Zhao said respectfully.
Lu Yi nodded and left the martial arts school.
"Let's go, Han Zhao. Let's go celebrate." Zhao Yuantu pulled Han Zhao out.
He also called a few apprentices who were usually on good terms with him.
At this moment, Xu Ling said charmingly, "Eldest Senior Brother, Han Zhao, do you mind if I go too?"
Zhao Yuantu was stunned for a moment before saying, "Of course not."
"That's right! It's best if Senior Sister Xu goes with us."
Hearing that Xu Ling wanted to go, the other youths immediately revealed excited expressions. Naturally, they were even happier to eat with their beautiful senior sister.
Xu Ling looked at Han Zhao.
"You're welcome." Han Zhao nodded. After all, he was a sugar daddy, and Zhao Yuantu had agreed.
"In that case, Eldest Senior Brother shouldn't mind adding two more people, right?" Su Yun and Zhang Tianwen also walked forward.
Zhao Yuantu was different from before. A Blood Tempering Realm expert was very valuable to rope in.
Especially to Zhang Tianwen who was not the heir, it would also increase his status if he could rope in a Blood Tempering Realm expert for his family.
"Let's go together." Zhao Yuantu scratched his head.
As he spoke, he was about to return to his room to get the money.
"How can Eldest Senior Brother pay? This meal is on me." Zhang Tianwen said casually, "Let's go to the Splendid Cloud Pavilion in the Yonghe District. I just sent someone to reserve a room in advance."
When the apprentices heard this, they all looked envious.
Their backgrounds were not bad, but it was too extravagant to let them go to the Splendid Cloud Pavilion for a meal.
"How can we do that?" Zhao Yuantu shook his head.
"Don't worry, Eldest Senior Brother. Soon, someone will rush to invite you to a banquet. You have to get used to it in advance. You won't refuse to give me face, right?"
Zhang Tianwen smiled.
"This…" Zhao Yuantu scratched his head. He still didn't feel too good. He subconsciously glanced at Han Zhao.
Seeing this, Han Zhao smiled. "Senior Brother, Senior Brother Zhang is so kind. You don't have to be polite."
"Alright then." Zhao Yuantu finally agreed.
Zhang Tianwen glanced at Han Zhao in surprise. He did not expect Eldest Senior Brother to have such a good relationship with Han Zhao.
The group walked out of the martial arts school. There were already three carriages parked outside.
Zhang Tianwen pulled Zhao Yuantu very intimately and walked towards the carriage at the front, wanting to ride with him.
When the remaining apprentices saw Su Yun's unapproachable expression, they consciously entered the second carriage.
Han Zhao followed.
Chapter 14
"Junior Martial Brother Han, there are too many people in that carriage. Please ride with us." Xu Ling suddenly said.
"Okay." Han Zhao nodded and got into the third carriage.
Along the way, Xu Ling looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Han Zhao could roughly guess what she wanted to say, but he didn't take the initiative to speak.
When they were about to reach Splendid Cloud Pavilion, Xu Ling finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Junior Brother Han, I want to invite Eldest Senior Brother to register his name at the Xu family's rice store. It's best if he can become a nominal expert of the Xu family. Can you speak up for me? Don't worry! The treatment will definitely not be bad."
"This…" Han Zhao pondered and said, "I can only mention it to Eldest Senior Brother. I can't guarantee if he will promise me or not."
"Xu Ling, what's the point of telling Junior Brother Han about this? Just tell Eldest Senior Brother! We're from the same sect. If the conditions are similar, he'll definitely choose the Xu family."
Su Yun couldn't help but remind her. Even if Han Zhao had a good relationship with Zhao Yuantu, how could a Skin Tempering martial artist like him make the decision for Zhao Yuantu?
If not for Xu Ling's situation, she would have invited Zhao Yuantu to join the Su family. If she were to bid, at least Xu Ling and Zhang Tianwen would not be able to compete with her. After all, she was her father's only daughter.
Han Zhao smiled and didn't say anything.
Xu Ling was a little helpless. Even if her eldest senior brother chose the Xu family, being invited in by her and being invited in by her second brother were two different concepts.
If she could afford it, her second brother could give more.
…
Soon, the group entered the Yonghe District. The carriage stopped in the empty space behind the Splendid Cloud Pavilion. Every area was divided by a white line.
There were people coming and going near the restaurant, and the surrounding shops were even more dazzling to Han Zhao.
Rouge shop, medicinal herb shop, ready-made clothes shop, pawn shop, wedding shop, gold shop, and all kinds of other shops.
Hmm?
Gold shop!
Han Zhao's pupils constricted.
[If you are a Force Tempering Martial Master now, I strongly suggest you rob a gold shop!]
"Junior Brother Han, what's wrong?" Xu Ling asked in confusion when she saw Han Zhao in a daze.
"Ah, I'm fine." Han Zhao came back to his senses and retracted his gaze with great determination.
In order to make money, this system was shameless!
If it could instigate him to rob the gold shop today, it could instigate him to rebel for money tomorrow.
"That's my family's gold shop," Su Yun said indifferently. "The cloth shop next to it belongs to the Xu family."
Han Zhao glanced at Su Yun and remained calm.
The three of them entered the hall on the first floor of Splendid Cloud Pavilion.
Zhang Tianwen looked displeased and was talking to a middle-aged man.
From the looks of it, he was the shopkeeper.
It turned out that the private room on the third floor was already full and they had not booked a table.
Although the second floor was also a hall, there was a screen between each table.
However, Zhang Tianwen felt that he had lost face in front of Zhao Yuantu, so he questioned the shopkeeper.
Businessmen naturally did not want to offend anyone, especially in the case of a mere worker. Therefore, the shopkeeper could only say some good words.
"Junior Brother Zhang, it's fine as long as there's a seat. It doesn't have to be a private room," Zhao Yuantu advised. He didn't like Zhang Tianwen's overbearing attitude.
"Alright, for Eldest Senior Brother's sake, I'll forget about it today. Give me two jars of your best Linghua Drunken Wine. Don't tell me you don't have any?"
Seeing that Zhao Yuantu was speaking, Zhang Tianwen relented.
"Yes! Yes! Young Master Zhang, please sit for a moment. The food and wine will be delivered soon." The shopkeeper was full of smiles as he shouted to the side, "Waiter, hurry up and bring the masters up!"
"Coming! Sirs, please!" The waiter bowed 90 degrees.
The group went upstairs and sat by the window.
Zhang Tianwen sat beside Zhao Yuantu and chatted with him 'familiarly'.
After a while, a young man dressed in luxurious clothes and holding a folding fan in his hand went upstairs. Behind him were a few young men dressed similarly.
The young master looked around the second floor as if he was looking for someone.
When he noticed Zhao Yuantu's conspicuous bald head, he walked up with a smile. "Senior Brother Zhao."
"You are?" Zhao Yuantu was stunned.
When Xu Ling saw who it was, her expression became a little unnatural. The other party was his second brother, Xu Jin. She did not think that Xu Jin's arrival was a coincidence.
"I'm Xu Jin from the Xu family's trading company. I've long heard of Senior Brother Zhao's name. I've booked a private room on the third floor. I wonder if Senior Brother Zhao can do me the honor of having a few drinks with me?" Xu Jin smiled and said, "Brother Tianwen is also here. Su Yun, why don't you join us?"
"I want to eat with my junior brothers and sisters. Forget it." Zhao Yuantu directly refused.
Zhang Tianwen and Su Yun did not agree either.
Xu Jin raised his eyebrows and glanced at Xu Ling. His smile remained unchanged. "In that case, let's do it another day. I won't disturb you anymore."
"Alright." Zhao Yuantu nodded.
Xu Jin turned around and went upstairs. His face instantly darkened.
The moment he received the news, he sent people to the Splendid Cloud Pavilion and the Drunken Moon Pavilion. In particular, he booked the remaining four private rooms of the Splendid Cloud Pavilion.
This was because he knew that if Xu Ling wanted to treat him, she would definitely go to the Splendid Cloud Pavilion. However, he did not expect Zhao Yuantu to not give him face at all.
Once Zhao Yuantu chose Xu Ling, the Blood Tempering martial artist behind both sides would be two to two, and his advantage would be gone.
In terms of aptitude and business talent, he was inferior to Xu Ling.
However, his biggest advantage now was that he had money.
If Xu Ling could afford the price, he could give 50% or even double it.
The greatest pursuit for a Blood Tempering martial artist was to grasp Internal Force. If he wanted to join the Xu family's trading company, either sibling was fine.
…
After this small interlude, the waiter quickly served the dishes on the table.
Roasted lamb chops, crispy duck, braised meatballs, fried prawns…
There were more than ten meat dishes and even more vegetables.
There were many dishes that Han Zhao had never eaten in her previous life.
"I came in a hurry today and neglected Eldest Senior Brother. I'll definitely prepare in advance another day. I'll punish myself with a cup first." Zhang Tianwen poured himself a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp. Then, he filled it for Zhao Yuantu.
"Junior Brother Zhang, you're being too serious." Zhao Yuantu was not used to his sudden enthusiasm.
"Come! Everyone, let's raise our glasses to celebrate Eldest Senior Brother's breakthrough." Zhang Tianwen was all smiles.
Everyone also raised their glasses to congratulate Zhao Yuantu.
After three rounds of wine, the waiter brought over a large pot of soup and a small plate of braised pork.
[A dish made from the meat of an underage tiger demon. After eating it, it can increase one's blood qi. With your current strength, if you don't charge money, the first thing you should do when you encounter a tiger demon is tidy your hair and choose a handsome posture to lie down. This way, you will die with more dignity.]
"This system only talks about money." Han Zhao's mouth twitched.
Zhang Tianwen explained, "This is deer antler soup. It's a great tonic to increase blood qi. Eldest Senior Brother, drink two more bowls! Also, this plate is braised tiger meat. I heard that it's the meat of a hundred-year-old tiger that's about to become a demon. It's always been frozen in the ice storage. This bit is worth twenty taels of silver. Usually, I can't bear to eat such an expensive thing!"
Other than Su Yun and Xu Ling, everyone present sucked in a breath of cold air.
It was only a few pieces of meat. Twenty taels?!
Zhao Yuantu picked up a piece of tiger meat for Han Zhao.
Han Zhao ate it and finally understood why it was so expensive.
After eating a piece of meat and a mouthful of soup, the blood qi in his entire body surged, and the true qi in his body became a little more active.
If he could eat this meat every day, his cultivation speed of the Life Nurturing Technique would definitely double again.
Of course, it was just a thought.
Han Zhao stopped drinking after two glasses of wine because drinking too much would affect his cultivation.
Seeing this, Zhang Tianwen ordered a portion of green spirit rice for him.
The green spirit rice was made by mashing and soaking the rice with the leaves of the south candle herb. After steaming it, it was dried. The fragrance of the rice mixed with the fragrance of the south candle's leaves had a different flavor.
Han Zhao tried the soup of the braised meatball.
Zhao Yuantu was tempted, but unfortunately, he was entangled by Zhang Tianwen.
The meal quickly came to an end.
At this moment, Xu Jin brought a few people downstairs.
Seeing that Zhao Yuantu was about to finish eating, he invited him to the Drunken Moon Pavilion for another round.
Zhao Yuantu refused again.
Xu Jin felt a little embarrassed and glanced at Xu Ling.
"Second Brother, since Eldest Senior Brother doesn't want to drink anymore, we can invite him next time. There's no need to do it tonight, right?" Xu Ling said.
Xu Jin frowned. It seemed like Zhao Yuantu was prepared to join Xu Ling.
In this way, not only would they not be friends, but they would also be enemies in the future.
Seeing this, Xu Jin's sidekick, Fang Hongyun, had a thought and wanted to help him regain his dignity. He noticed that everyone else had stopped eating except for Han Zhao, who was sitting beside Xu Ling and eating with his head lowered. He said sarcastically, "You're eating so loudly. Didn't your family teach you manners?"
Hearing this, Han Zhao paused and looked up at him. "Are you talking about me?"
"Oh, I was wondering who it was. So it was you, the medicine jar?!" Fang Hongyun had a mocking expression: "No wonder, your family seems to be…"
"Fang Hongyun, don't go too far!" Xu Ling's voice suddenly rose by an octave.
"I was just joking, don't mind me." Fang Hongyun smiled and looked at Han Zhao: "Brother Han, you can't take a joke, right?"
"No." Han Zhao was expressionless.
"Hmph!" Xu Jin flicked his sleeves and left. The few people behind him also followed.
Before leaving, Fang Hongyun sneered at Han Zhao.
Zhao Yuantu frowned and was about to get up.
"Forget it, Eldest Senior Brother. There's no need to argue with such a person. Let's go to the night market later."
Han Zhao stopped him.
Just bear with it for a while.
[If you don't charge gold now, you'll regret it later.]
…
Slap!
In the back alley of the Drunken Moon Pavilion, Fang Hongyun was slapped in the face by a large hand, instantly losing two teeth. Blood mixed with saliva flowed down the corner of his mouth.
"Who… are you?" Fang Hongyun covered his face and glared at the masked man in black in front of him. His left teeth were all loose. The piercing pain made his facial expression completely distorted, and he instantly lost most of his drunkenness.
"How dare you hit me? You know I'm…"
Han Zhao punched Fang Hongyun's abdomen heavily.
"Ah!" Fang Hongyun almost fainted, instantly losing the ability to resist.
Clap, clap, clap!
Han Zhao tightened his grip on his neck and went on a few more rounds.
Fang Hongyun's eyes became much clearer, his body went limp, he held his stomach and knelt on the ground.
"Brother, no, hero! Hero! If you need money… I'll give you money. Stop… stop!"
He quickly took out the money bag hanging from his waist.
[This is also a way to make a fortune, but be careful not to get caught.]
Han Zhao took the money and slapped him a few more times.
Fang Hongyun's face was swollen like a pig's head, and his eyes were narrowed into slits.
Han Zhao lowered his voice and said fiercely, "You're the only one who likes to snatch women?! Challenge me? Do you have the ability?"
"Ah? Hero! What did you say?" Fang Hongyun was stunned.
Although he had drunk a lot at night and was not sober just now, he was still a Bone Tempering martial artist after all. He was not helpless against a sneak attack.
It could only mean that the person in front of him was much stronger than him!
Fang Hongyun suddenly quivered. Could it be that he had offended a Blood Tempering expert without him knowing?
Snatching a woman?
He couldn't remember at all.
"Don't let me see you in the Drunken Moon Pavilion in the future, or I'll beat you up every time I see you!" Han Zhao kicked Fang Hongyun's chest.
Fang Hongyun suffered consecutive injuries, he fainted before he could catch his breath.
Seeing this, Han Zhao kicked the other party's calf again.
Then, he weighed the money bag in his hand and smiled. It was enough as compensation for his insult earlier.
As long as he didn't kill anyone, they wouldn't be able to trace it to him.
Furthermore, he was a weak Skin Tempering martial artist, how could he deal with Fang Hongyun?
With a few flashes, Han Zhao blended into the night.
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Chapter 15
Yonghe District.
There was a long street behind Splendid Cloud Pavilion. It could originally accommodate two carriages traveling side by side, but at this moment, the side street was crowded with people.
Because every night, there would be all kinds of snack stalls on both sides of the street. The vendors kept shouting, and the pedestrians walked and stopped. They were attracted by the delicacies on the street and could not walk.
Although the sky was completely dark, lanterns were hung on the carts of every vendor. The pillars of the shops at the back were also hung with lanterns, illuminating the entire street.
The sound was noisy, but it was filled with the aura of life. In some ways, it was also very pleasant to the ears.
Zhao Yuantu, Xu Ling, Su Yun, and Zhang Tianwen were shopping at the snack street.
The other apprentices felt that they could not integrate into their circle, so they consciously found an excuse to leave.
Zhao Yuantu and Xu Ling were already eating the snacks they had bought from the stall.
Compared to Zhao Yuantu's rough eating style, Xu Ling was much more refined. However, the two of them seemed to be in high spirits.
On the other hand, Zhang Tianwen, who was at the side, smelled the oily smoke in the air and fanned himself with a look of disdain.
Although it was not so obvious, Su Yun frowned slightly.
"What's wrong with Han Zhao? Why does it take so long to go to the toilet?" Zhang Tianwen said impatiently, "Did he leave first?"
He would never come to such a place. However, Han Zhao suggested that he go shopping. Since Zhao Yuantu and Xu Ling had agreed, he naturally could not say anything.
Unexpectedly, halfway through their shopping, Han Zhao suddenly said that he had to go to the toilet because of a stomachache.
Zhang Tianwen originally wanted to invite Zhao Yuantu to have fun and find an opportunity to send Su Yun and Xu Ling away. After all, the two of them might compete with him.
However, Zhao Yuantu and Xu Ling insisted on waiting for Han Zhao to return. They stood rooted to the ground for almost half an hour.
"That won't happen." Zhao Yuantu slurred his words as he ate. "It's not a long time to go to the toilet."
"Eldest Senior Brother." Xu Ling rebuked, "Can you not talk about such things when you're eating?"
"I'm sorry." Zhao Yuantu grinned.
At this moment, a tall and handsome young man jogged toward the four of them. He was wearing a standard black training suit. It was Han Zhao, who had just finished venting.
"Junior Brother Han, you're finally back. The skewers are almost cold!" Zhao Yuantu handed the lamb skewers in his left hand to Han Zhao.
Han Zhao took it with a smile.
Xu Ling was eating chestnuts stir-fried with sugar and muttered, "What's wrong, Junior Brother Han? Why are you so happy? Did you pick up money?"
"Indeed, I picked up more than ten copper coins after leaving the toilet." Han Zhao nodded and glossed over his gains from this trip.
"That's really good luck." Xu Ling smiled. She didn't expect Junior Martial Brother Han to have such a good attitude. He had clearly been deliberately provoked by Fang Hongyun just now, but now he was acting as if nothing had happened.
"Eh…" Su Yun glanced at Han Zhao and picked up the copper coins at the entrance of the toilet.
"This skewer is so delicious!" Han Zhao bit on the lamb skewer, his mouth full of oil. Today, he finally saw how rich the rich in the inner city were.
Zhang Tianwen spent 40 taels of silver on this meal.
Fang Hongyun had only said a few words to him, but he had already compensated him with more than ten taels of silver for his mental damage. This made him want to be scolded a few more times.
"Junior Brother Zhang was the one treating us just now. It should be my turn this time. Everyone, eat as much as you want. I'll pay." Zhao Yuantu pointed at the street full of snack stalls.
"I won't hold back." Xu Ling inserted the straw into the top of the Fire Crystal Persimmon and sucked it.
"Me too." Han Zhao didn't stop talking.
Zhang Tianwen and Su Yun naturally gave them face, but the two of them did not eat a single bite along the way. Clearly, they were not interested in the food from the roadside stalls.
The five of them shopped for a while more before preparing to go home.
Before leaving, Zhao Yuantu was about to leave with Han Zhao when he was stopped by Zhang Tianwen. The two of them chatted alone.
When Zhao Yuantu returned to the martial arts school, he found Lu Yi lying on a rattan chair in the courtyard and looking at the moon.
"Master, why haven't you rested yet?" Zhao Yuantu walked forward and took out a paper bag from his pocket. He handed it over with both hands. "Master, this is the stir-fried melon seeds I bought for you. It's still hot!"
"If you went out to eat something good, why did you just bring me a bag of melon seeds?" Lu Yi said angrily.
"This… I…" Zhao Yuantu retracted his hand in embarrassment.
"Alright, give it to me! It won't taste good if it gets cold." Lu Yi reached out and snatched the melon seeds from Zhao Yuantu's hand.
"Don't be complacent even after breaking through. This is just the beginning! From tomorrow onwards, come to my room after lunch every day. I'll teach you the fundamental comprehension technique of the Mountain Shaking Fist alone."
"Yes, Master!" Zhao Yuantu, who was 1.9 meters tall, lowered his head like a child and stood in front of Lu Yi.
"Why don't you go back and rest early? You reek of alcohol."
"Yes!" Zhao Yuantu felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and bowed respectfully to Lu Yi before hurriedly running towards the east wing.
"Really…" Lu Yi shook his head and laughed.
As a Force Tempering Martial Master, he had eaten all kinds of delicacies. However, it was very interesting to tease his disciple. For example, Han Zhao was too smart. He could not tease him at all. His eldest disciple was more fun.
…
The next morning.
Han Zhao went to the roadside stall to eat more than ten rice dumplings before heading to the martial arts school to practice.
Lu Yi had reminded him yesterday that he had to be careful.
As soon as he reached the street where the martial arts school was located, he noticed a few luxuriously decorated carriages parked at the entrance. There was a family emblem on them. It was obvious that they were from a large family in the inner city.
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Chapter 16
Han Zhao walked into the martial arts school and saw a few middle-aged men bowing and scraping around Zhao Yuantu, insisting on inviting him for morning tea.
Zhao Yuantu looked like he was in a difficult position, but after Lu Yi spoke, he followed.
When he passed by Han Zhao, he smiled bitterly. Clearly, he was not used to this.
"This is what it means to never underestimate anyone's potential." Han Zhao thought to himself.
[An inch of time is worth an inch of gold. An inch of gold can buy an inch of time.]
Han Zhao ignored the notification.
However, he sighed in his heart. The Bone Tempering Realm and the Blood Tempering Realm were indeed worlds apart. One was in the middle, while the other was close to the top.
After Han Zhao bowed to Lu Yi, he walked into the courtyard. When he reached the middle aisle, he noticed Li Fei's figure in the corner of the courtyard outside.
The other party was bare-chested, revealing his strong muscles. He kept hitting the heated sand in the iron pot with his fists.
"Good morning, Senior Brother Li!"
Han Zhao was stunned for a moment before reacting and greeting Li Fei.
Clearly, Li Fei had already given up on cultivating the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and chose to cultivate the Mountain Shaking Fist. It seemed that Zhao Yuantu's breakthrough had stimulated him.
He was almost 25 years old. The Mountain Shaking Fist and the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique were compatible martial arts, but the former was much easier. He still had a chance of breaking through to the Blood Tempering Realm if he switched to cultivation.
After all, his aptitude was not bad to begin with, and he came from a large family in the city. His overall conditions were much better than Zhao Yuantu's.
Li Fei raised his arm and wiped the sweat off his face. He smiled at Han Zhao. "Morning, Junior Brother Han."
With that, he calmed down and continued practicing.
Han Zhao entered the courtyard. Xu Ling, Su Yun, and Zhang Tianwen were all inside.
When Zhang Tianwen saw Han Zhao walk in, he revealed a rare smile and stepped forward. "Junior Brother Han, from today onwards, you will spar with me."
Hearing the gloating tone in his voice, Han Zhao was displeased.
Previously, when he was cultivating, Xu Ling and Li Fei were both willing to take the initiative to spar with him. Su Yun would also occasionally look for him. Only Zhang Tianwen always looked arrogant. Unless Lu Yi requested it, he would treat Han Zhao as if he did not exist.
Now that he suddenly came over, there was probably something going on.
"Then I'll have to trouble Senior Brother Zhang." Han Zhao cupped his hands at Zhang Tianwen.
"No problem, no problem." Zhang Tianwen pulled Han Zhao to the side. "Junior Brother Han, I heard that you earn one tael of silver a month in the Xu family's rice store?"
"Yes, Senior Sister Xu is generous." Han Zhao nodded, already guessing what he was going to say.
Zhang Tianwen stretched out four fingers and waved them in front of Han Zhao. "I'll give you four taels of silver every month. How about coming under my Zhang family?"
"I'm just a mere Skin Tempering martial artist. I can't feel at ease taking this money. I appreciate Senior Brother Zhang's kindness." Han Zhao rejected tactfully. Zhang Tianwen wanted him to sign a contract with the Zhang family directly. This was not the same as registering his name. He could only sign a contract with one family. It was equivalent to selling himself.
"Don't worry, I won't give you such good conditions for nothing. As long as you can help me persuade Eldest Senior Brother to come to my Zhang family, I promise that if anything dangerous happens in the future, I won't let you help."
Zhang Tianwen waved his hand. He thought that Han Zhao wanted benefits and was afraid of death, so he made a verbal promise.
In any case, if Han Zhao was lucky in the future, he should be able to break through to the Bone Tempering Realm. Four taels of silver a month was barely considered not a loss.
[Even capitalists aren't so black-hearted. There's no need to consider anything below ten taels. If it exceeds that, you can consider it.]
"I think the Xu family's rice store is very good and free. As for which family Eldest Senior Brother will choose in the end, it's not something I can control. Senior Brother Zhang, you should tell Eldest Senior Brother about this yourself." Han Zhao rejected again.
With that, he cupped his hands at Zhang Tianwen and went to practice with Xu Ling.
When Zhang Tianwen saw Han Zhao rejecting him one after another, his expression became a little unnatural. He wanted to flare up, but he held it in.
This guy was just a follower of Eldest Senior Brother!
Could it be that he wanted to get four taels of silver a month just by putting up a name?
He didn't know how to appreciate favors!
"Junior Brother Han…" Xu Ling's pink lips parted slightly as she watched Han Zhao walk over. She wanted to say something but hesitated.
She was a little touched and thought that she had not misjudged him.
After all, Zhang Tianwen's conditions were very generous. Once Han Zhao agreed, it was very likely to affect Eldest Senior Brother's decision.
Moreover, the Zhang family was a large family in the inner city. Although they did not have a Force Tempering Martial Master, they had five quasi-Martial Masters in the Blood Tempering Realm guarding them. They were much stronger than the Xu family.
Even if Zhang Tianwen was not a direct descendant, the Zhang family was definitely willing to have another Blood Tempering expert. The price they could offer was definitely higher than hers.
"Senior Sister Xu, I'll spar with you in the future. Please guide me." Han Zhao stood in front of Xu Ling.
"Yes!" Xu Ling nodded heavily.
When Su Yun saw this, she also looked up to Han Zhao.
He was quite principled and unyielding.
However, after embarrassing Zhang Tianwen, his future would probably not be easy.
The Zhang family was slightly stronger than her Su family.
…
"Time to cook! Time to cook!"
At lunchtime, Han Zhao ran to the kitchen with light steps.
Although it was not appropriate to say this, Zhao Yuantu was not around at noon today, so he could eat more.
"It's time to cook!" Han Zhao pushed open the kitchen door.
Lu Yi held the roasted chicken leg. When he saw Han Zhao's "lively" side, he stopped chewing.
Han Zhao: "…"
Lu Yi: "…"
[Changing the topic now can effectively ease the awkwardness.]
Han Zhao's expression turned serious as he bowed to Lu Yi. "Teacher Lu, you didn't go out to eat today?"
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Chapter 17
Lu Yi rarely ate at home. Today, so many people had invited Zhao Yuantu, but he did not go with them.
'Is that reasonable?'
"Sit down and eat." Lu Yi chuckled and pointed to the seat beside him.
"Yes." Han Zhao sat down "dignifiedly".
"Three roasted chickens, two for you and one for me." Lu Yi pushed two plates of untouched roasted chickens over.
"I'm old. In the past, I could eat five roasted chickens and a basin of rice for a meal. Now, I can't anymore. You young people have to eat more so that you can be stronger!"
"What are you saying? Look at your dignified appearance. You're clearly still young," Han Zhao hurriedly praised. After having a meal with Zhang Tianwen, he realized that dozens of taels of silver were nothing to someone at Lu Yi's level.
Back then, Lu Yi was indeed kind enough to accept the Thousand Silk Guide.
Moreover, he said that he would offer lunch for half a year. After the expiration date, Zhao Yuantu would still call him for lunch on time and say that it was Lu Yi's idea.
"I didn't expect you to know how to flatter me. You're probably doing this for the sake of the roasted chicken, right?" Lu Yi scolded with a smile, seemingly enjoying it.
He knew that people like Han Zhao looked amiable on the surface and didn't seem to fight for anything, but they were actually very ambitious.
This mentality was beneficial to practicing martial arts. After all, practicing martial arts required one to have this attitude.
It's just that when reality fails to achieve its desired goals, this kind of mentality is harmful.
Regarding this, Lu Yi could only watch. He could not do anything, nor was he prepared to do anything.
Life and death were determined by fate, and wealth was determined by people. Everything had to be fought for by oneself!
"Master's eyes are indeed sharp! You saw through it at a glance." Han Zhao pretended to be obedient. A teacher like Lu Yi was easy to get close to.
In the simulation, Lu Yi was indeed worthy of the word 'master'.
"Eat, eat!" Lu Yi noticed the change in Han Zhao's address and waved his hand in disdain.
When Han Zhao heard this, he stopped pretending and rolled up his sleeves.
After eating half a roasted chicken, there was a rush of footsteps outside.
Zhao Yuantu rushed into the kitchen. "Thank goodness! It's lunchtime."
Seeing Lu Yi glare at him, Zhao Yuantu hurriedly greeted, "Master."
"Why are you back? Didn't those people ask you to stay for dinner?" Lu Yi asked curiously. It was impossible for a Blood Tempering Realm martial artist to not be fought over.
"No, after drinking tea for the entire morning and eating a lot of pastries, they wanted to drag me to drink flower wine in the afternoon. I've never seen such a scene before, so I ran straight back." Zhao Yuantu explained, "Master, you said that wine is a bowel-piercing medicine and lust is a bone-scraping knife. Martial arts practitioners hate these two points the most. I remember them all!"
"I said that you can't indulge in it, not ignore it," Lu Yi said angrily. "At your age, some people's children are already ten years old. It's time to arrange a marriage for you."
"It's all up to you, Master." Zhao Yuantu scratched his head. "But I like women who are stronger. It's best if they're similar to me. Sorry to trouble you, Master."
"Got it." Lu Yi nodded. He was not interested in his disciple's preference. After all, he had lived for so long and had seen all kinds of strange people. Zhao Yuantu was very normal in comparison.
"Master, I haven't eaten yet." Zhao Yuantu looked at the roasted chicken on the plate and smiled.
"I left two in the pot for you. Go get them yourself." Lu Yi tilted his head at the stove.
"Thank you, Master."
The three of them sat on the table and attacked the roasted chicken.
Seeing that they were about to finish eating, Han Zhao poured a bowl of barley tea for Lu Yi and Zhao Yuantu each. Then, he said, "Eldest Senior Brother, Senior Sister Xu asked me to tell you that she wants to invite you to be an expert of the Xu family. I wonder if you're willing? If you don't have the intention, I'll help you reject her."
It was a good time to bring it up. It would not be too deliberate. Besides, Lu Yi was present.
"This…" Zhao Yuantu stopped drinking his tea and said, "I have to think about it."
"Please do." Han Zhao nodded.
"The Xu family? Not bad. They can be considered quite powerful. Too powerful a faction isn't suitable for you. The Xu family can be one of your choices," Lu Yi said. Although he didn't express his stance clearly, it could be considered as speaking up for the Xu family.
Zhao Yuantu's personality was relatively straightforward. If he did not get along well with those top factions with Force Tempering Martial Masters, it would not be beneficial to his future development.
Coincidentally, the Xu family was suitable.
He had a good impression of Xu Ling. At the very least, she would not trick Zhao Yuantu.
Han Zhao didn't say anything else. His mission had been completed, and the most important thing was Zhao Yuantu's own choice.
No matter how good their relationship was, if they relied on this to push their luck, their relationship would break down one day.
"Han Zhao, thank you for worrying about me," Zhao Yuantu said sincerely. He had a straightforward personality and was not scheming, but he was not stupid. He could see clearly who was really good to him and who was hypocritical.
"Senior Brother, you're being too serious." Han Zhao smiled.
Seeing this, Lu Yi also smiled.
Unlike the other apprentices with backgrounds who would definitely return to the family in the future, Han Zhao and Zhao Yuantu had hopes of inheriting his mantle and sending him off in his old age.
As for his daughter, after she entered the prefecture capital's martial arts academy, she was like a fledgling turning into a phoenix. He could not drag her down and let her stay in such a small place.
It was naturally a good thing that the two of them could get along well.
After lunch, Han Zhao prepared to take a nap and welcome the afternoon's cultivation with abundant energy.
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Chapter 18
In the evening.
Han Zhao stood in the courtyard with a calm expression. He kept practicing with his saber to train his muscles and bones.
However, his mind was not as calm as it seemed.
"It's over! Why is this happening?"
"At this rate, I'll break through to the Bone Tempering Realm in half a year at most. This speed is too exaggerated!"
His cultivation progress was too fast, and it was a little worrying.
In the previous simulation, when he broke through at the age of 19, Lu Yi focused on nurturing him and had the intention of letting him inherit his mantle. Later on, he even married his daughter to him.
Now, he could probably breakthrough at the age of 18.
Su Yun and Xu Ling had also used about two years to reach the Bone Tempering Realm. Both of them had the support of their families and had a large number of cultivation resources.
He had practiced for less than a year and a half and directly reached the Bone Tempering Realm.
It was a little ridiculous.
Although Lu Yi treated him very well, the results of the simulation were all based on the premise that there would not be any huge changes in reality. The future was constantly changing.
Even if Lu Yi did not suspect anything, his cultivation speed would definitely attract the attention of the other large factions in the city.
"I can only hide my progress first before letting Master Lu keep it a secret." Han Zhao thought for a moment and thought of a way to deal with it.
Lu Yi usually checked his cultivation progress every two to three months. If he broke through in five months or half a year, he could tell Lu Yi two months later to prevent himself from being too shocked.
In addition, he asked Lu Yi to keep it a secret for him and tell them a few months later.
Such a breakthrough in two years was considered the progress of a regular genius.
"Junior Martial Brother Han!" Xu Ling, who had already left in advance, suddenly ran into the inner courtyard, panting.
Today, Xu Ling was wearing a black short-sleeved training suit. Her fair arms were exposed, but her muscles were not exaggerated. Instead, they looked very fleshy.
Perhaps it was because she moved too much that the bra wrapping cloth inside burst open. Her originally flat chest became different as she ran, and the fullness of her chest was about to burst out.
The training clothes that were originally very proper actually gave off a 'sexy' feeling.
[No matter how hard it is, you can't let the kids suffer. Moreover, this is a rich woman. If you grasp it well, you can save 20 years of hard work.]
Han Zhao shifted his gaze and saw Zhang Tianwen's eyes widen. He walked towards Xu Ling and blocked Zhang Tianwen's line of sight.
"Junior Martial Brother Han! Thank you!"
Before Han Zhao could speak, Xu Ling grabbed his hand and looked at him excitedly.
"What's wrong, Senior Sister Xu?" Han Zhao had a puzzled look on his face. At the same time, he gently retracted his hand.
"Eldest Senior Brother has agreed to be the Xu family's registered elder!" Xu Ling's face was flushed.
"This is Eldest Senior Brother's own decision, not my credit." Han Zhao did not take the credit, but Zhao Yuantu was recruited into the Xu family by Xu Ling. In that case, the pressure on her in the past few years would be much less. She could earn more money and give him more money. It was always a good thing.
Xu Ling clenched her fists tightly. "In short, thank you! I'm going to invite Eldest Senior Brother to a banquet tonight. Let's go together."
"This…" Han Zhao hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright."
It would be a waste not to eat Xu Ling's food.
"Su Yun, Senior Brother Zhang, you two too…" Xu Ling looked at the two people beside her.
"I have an appointment tonight. I'll make a move first." Zhang Tianwen cupped his fists with a tense expression. When he passed by Han Zhao, he narrowed his eyes and glanced at him.
"I'll go home and change my clothes first." Su Yun nodded and pointed at Xu Ling's upper body. "You'd better go home and change your clothes too."
"Me?" Xu Ling lowered her head and did not see her toes. She immediately cried out in surprise and covered her chest.
"I'm going to the backyard for a drink."
Han Zhao turned around and left.
"What are you doing?!" Xu Ling's scream and Su Yun's teasing voice came from behind. "Wow! How dare you hide such a big thing? Let me touch you!"
Han Zhao quickened his pace.
…
Half a year later.
Han Zhao stood in his courtyard and casually brandished his saber.
Clang!
The wooden stake in front of him, which was as thick as two people's arms, was cut in half by him. The incision in the middle was as smooth as a mirror.
[The proficiency of the Sword and Saber Duo has increased. The Saber Dao Aptitude has increased by five times. The Sword Dao Aptitude has increased by three times.]
A line of small words appeared on the system interface in Han Zhao's vision.
His Saber Dao Aptitude had increased again!
Ten days ago, he had successfully broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm.
Martial Arts: Bone Shrinking Technique (Greater Mastery 97%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Bone Shrinking Disguise), Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (Second Level Entry Level 5%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Explosion Level 2), Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Small Mastery 96%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 3)
Lu Yi had yet to specially teach him the second form of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. However, after watching Lu Yi guide Xu Ling and the others, he had already completely memorized it. All he lacked was the incantation corresponding to the saber technique.
Without the incantation, Han Zhao just couldn't continue to increase the proficiency of the second move and increase his cultivation progress, but it didn't affect the power of his saber.
As for telling Lu Yi two months later, it would not affect his cultivation because he could spend all his time cultivating the Life Nurturing Technique in these two months.
Due to the effect of the [Basic Master] Trait, his originally slowed cultivation speed doubled. On average, the progress of the Life Nurturing Technique could increase by about 2% every month.
Of course, it corresponded to the increase in his appetite and the consumption of silver.
Of the fifteen taels of silver that Fang Hongyun had given him, he had spent ten taels of silver as soon as he bought it and returned it to Edge Sharpening Manor. After all, the dagger and leather armor was on credit, it was not good to delay it for too long.
At the Xu family's rice store, the silver Xu Ling had given him had been raised to two taels a month. It was very practical.
Two taels of silver was a normal amount that ordinary Bone Tempering Realm martial artists could obtain after registering their name.
Looking at Xu Ling at that time, she should have invited Zhao Yuantu to become the registered elder of the Xu family. Her situation had improved a lot.
Han Zhao only had less than seven taels of silver on hand. Because he ate more meat, his Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and Life Nurturing Technique had improved by leaps and bounds.
"Looks like I have to go back to my old job and randomly pick a lucky wanted criminal." Han Zhao felt that being a Saber Hunter still had a path to wealth. For this reason, he specially took the time to cultivate the Bone Shrinking Technique he had obtained from Kuai Wei and cultivated it to the Greater Mastery stage.
It was not difficult for him to change his appearance now.
Song Que could make a comeback again.
In order to be more stable, he had only attacked once.
With his current strength in the Bone Tempering Realm and the Second Level Life Nurturing Technique, it was still unknown if he could match a quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm. However, when facing martial artists in the same realm, he was not afraid of anyone.
There could be no one more robust than him among the fugitives.
The only problem now was that he had to forge another long saber as Song Que's personal saber in the future.
Otherwise, when 'Song Que' became famous, the Silver Frost Saber that Lu Yi gave him would become a piece of evidence.
As for the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, if he obtained another saber technique manual, he would take the time to learn another saber technique.
In any case, with five times the aptitude for saber techniques and the increase in his realm, it would be much faster for him to learn low-level saber techniques.
After reaching the Bone Tempering Realm, it only took him nine days to cultivate the Bone Shrinking Technique to the Greater Mastery realm.
Thinking of this, Han Zhao left the house and found the neighbor's child. He gave him five copper coins and asked him to deliver a message to the martial arts school.
In the following period of time, Han Zhao was prepared not to go to the martial arts school. The reason was naturally that he was about to break through and go earn money.
Ever since Zhao Yuantu joined the Xu family, the time he took to return to the martial arts school had been greatly shortened. The person who taught the newbies on behalf of Lu Yi was also Li Fei.
Without Zhao Yuantu around, Han Zhao was too embarrassed to freeload lunch every day, even though Lu Yi allowed it.
Now, it was time to make use of these two months to earn money.
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Chapter 19
Black Wind Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain.
Han Zhao wore a mask and his white clothes were spotless. He held a black box in his hand and walked into the cave where the Saber Hunters' stronghold was.
In front of him was a deep corridor. Lamps hung on the walls on both sides, and the dim yellow light illuminated the passage.
Han Zhao walked all the way to the end and saw a spacious underground hall.
At this moment, a burly man with a fierce expression and a height of nearly two meters stood in front of the counter. He carried a saber that was nearly 1.2 meters tall on his right shoulder and a blood-stained head in his left hand.
He casually threw his head on the counter and handed over the mission to the officer behind the counter.
Trickle…
Blood flowed down the counter and dripped to the ground.
The pungent smell of blood spread out, but the official's expression was very respectful, and he did not show any dissatisfaction.
The burly man did not hide anything and directly revealed his true appearance. Clearly, he was very confident in his strength.
"Lord Lei, this is your bounty. Please keep it well." After the official confirmed it, he handed over twenty taels of silver with both hands.
"Okay." Lei Hu took the silver and turned to leave. When he noticed Han Zhao not far behind him, he was stunned.
Han Zhao was dressed in white and had a funny fox mask on his face. He had thin arms and legs and didn't look like a Saber Hunter at all.
However, when he saw the wanted poster on the black box in Han Zhao's hand, he no longer looked down on him.
"You killed the Pine Breeze Swordsman, Zhou Han?!" Lei Hu's eyes widened as he pointed at the box in Han Zhao's hand. This Pine Breeze Swordsman, Zhou Han, was an expert in the Bone Tempering Realm. He had chased after him a few times, but they could only fight to a draw.
A quasi-Martial Master at the Blood Tempering Realm disdained to be a Saber Hunter, so the strongest among them was at the Bone Tempering Realm.
As long as the fugitives didn't enter Blackrock City and only wreaked havoc nearby, and didn't provoke any large factions, the experts in the city wouldn't specially pursue them. At most, the county office would issue a bounty mission and get the Saber Hunter to deal with them.
Zhou Han, the Pine Breeze Swordsman, was one of the strongest wanted criminals in the vicinity, but he was actually killed by this weak-looking masked man?
"Mm." Han Zhao glanced at Lei Hu and replied indifferently. The persona he gave Song Que was cold and aloof.
"My name is Lei Hu. I wonder who you are…?" Lei Hu cupped his fists and introduced himself. Although Han Zhao's attitude was very cold, he still wanted to befriend him.
"Song Que." Han Zhao's tone remained unchanged.
"I didn't know that there was an expert like Brother Song nearby. You really have an extraordinary bearing." Lei Hu's smile did not fade. Seeing that the masked man had no intention of befriending him, he was not anxious. It was normal for people in their line of work to be vigilant.
"I won't disturb Brother Song anymore. Please go ahead." Lei Hu made way for him.
"Okay." Han Zhao nodded and walked to the counter.
Lei Hu's intention to befriend him was obvious, but the more people he knew, the easier it was to be exposed, so Han Zhao didn't want to pay attention to him.
Seeing this, Lei Hu was not angry. He turned around and walked out.
In the martial arts world, having more friends meant having more options.
He had been in the martial arts world for a long time, so he preferred to befriend people with Song Que's personality. This was because although such people were arrogant and difficult to get close to, most of them were not sinister and cunning. They were much better than people who hid sabers in their smiles.
"Lord Song." The official also heard their conversation. Seeing Han Zhao put the black box on the counter, he immediately bowed respectfully and began to verify it.
He remembered Song Que's attire. Previously, Song Que had killed a Skin Tempering Flower Picking Bee, Kuai Wei. However, he had sold a cultivation technique that could cultivate to the Blood Tempering Realm. At that time, the official only thought that Song Que was lucky and had encountered a fat sheep.
Unexpectedly, after not seeing him for more than half a year, Song Que directly killed the most troublesome person in the Bone Tempering Realm, Zhou Han. Clearly, Song Que was an expert in the Bone Tempering Realm back then and was only using the Flower Picking Bee to practice.
The official was glad that he did not neglect the other party at that time, nor did he deliberately ask for it when purchasing cultivation methods and exchanging gold.
"Lord Song, this is your bounty. It's a total of twenty-five taels of silver. Do you want to exchange it for gold?"
"Mm." Han Zhao nodded.
The head of this Bone Tempering Realm wanted criminal was really worthless. Fortunately, the spoils of war were powerful.
Zhou Han had more than ten taels of silver and a book of the Pine Breeze Sword Technique that could be cultivated to the Blood Tempering Realm.
Han Zhao indeed wanted to practice a sword technique, but he planned to practice it after reaching the Blood Tempering Realm. This way, it wouldn't delay his cultivation progress.
The reason why he wanted to cultivate sword techniques was to raise the level of the [Sword and Saber Duo] Trait.
He realized that after his Saber Dao Aptitude increased by five times, there was no notification of proficiency growth. It was probably because the proficiency of his Sword Dao Aptitude was dragging him down.
The [Sword and Saber Duo] Trait was a growth-type Trait that could allow him to advance another two levels. It was one of the important things he relied on for his cultivation.
However, he was not prepared to cultivate the Pine Breeze Sword Technique. He did not care about the cultivation technique that could not grasp Internal Force.
Moreover, this sword technique leaned towards dexterity and elegance. The corresponding combat method was a fight. He liked instantaneous and long-lasting bursts of power. Persistent combat was not his combat style.
Just as he was about to sell the Pine Breeze Sword Technique, he realized that when the official handed over two taels of gold and three taels of silver, he also handed over a green token.
There was the word "District" engraved on the front and a word "Chen" on the back.
"What's this?"
"Lord Song, this is the entry token for the Nine Links Town's Chen Family Fort's auction." The official explained.
"The cultivation method to practice weapons is much more expensive than ordinary cultivation methods. According to the purchase price here, you can only sell this Pine Breeze Sword Technique for 70 to 80 taels at most. If it's put up for auction, it can be sold for at least 100 taels of silver. The Zhao family's commission is only 5%, and the Zhao family's castle can also be exchanged for gold."
When Han Zhao heard this, he sized up the official and immediately reacted.
"Okay, got it." He took the token, took out a silver coin from his purse, and threw it to the other party.
"Thank you, Lord Song!" The official took the silver and smiled even more warmly.
It wasn't like he was the one making money from the government. He had already made a profit by selling a favor to Song Que, not to mention that he had to be rewarded.
"The auction is held once every three months. There are still fifty-one days until the next auction."
"Okay." Han Zhao turned around and left.
It was a pity that he could not copy the cultivation method and sell a few more copies. Otherwise, he could earn more money.
After Han Zhao left the hall, the official took out more than ten copper coins and handed them to his colleague.
Looking at how the other person was collecting money, they knew that this was not the first time they had done such a thing.
…
Han Zhao returned home and charged two taels of gold into the system.
[Current Balance: 4 taels of gold]
[15 Notification Fragments have been collected. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]
[This will consume 20 Notification Fragments, 3 taels of gold…]
"No." Han Zhao muttered in his heart. The Yin energy in his heart had been exhausted recently.
However, the Essence Soul Bead seemed to automatically accumulate Yin energy. He could absorb it every three months or so. The Yin energy inside was enough for him to accumulate 10 to 15 notifications.
In a few days, he would be able to absorb Yin energy and accumulate more notifications to simulate it.
Han Zhao realized that there was a benefit to this. He could wait until he needed a proper notification before absorbing the Yin energy inside to avoid hearing those flirtatious words.
After selling the Pine Breeze Sword Technique, he could go to Edge Sharpening Manor to customize a better saber. He could also save the remaining money to buy supplementary food and nourishing herbs.
As long as he did not encounter any bottlenecks, even if he did not simulate it for a certain period of time, his current cultivation progress was not slow.
"There's still 51 days before the auction. I can get some more money."
…
One and a half months later.
During this period of time, Han Zhao had killed a few more wanted criminals, but they were all Skin Tempering martial artists. The bounty was not high, and the cultivation techniques on him were extremely poor. In total, they had only brought him 40 taels of silver.
He did not plan to go out for the rest of the time.
The auction would end in a week. In another week, he would go to the martial arts school and tell Lu Yi that he had broken through.
However, plans could not keep up with changes. In the evening, Han Zhao had just returned home when he saw someone waiting at his door.
After asking, he found out that Edge Sharpening Manor had encountered some trouble and needed him to make a trip tomorrow.
After the other party left, Han Zhao returned to his room.
"Little troublemaker? I remember that in the last simulation, because of Edge Sharpening Manor, I seemed to have provoked the Flying Dragon Stockade on Nine Links Mountain."
After all, he was in Edge Sharpening Manor, he could not take the money for nothing.
"Steady." Thinking of this, Han Zhao prepared to simulate it first.
[Collected 30 Notification Fragments. Do you want to synthesize a Trait?]
[Synthesized once. Consumed 20 Notification Fragments…]
"Synthesize. Beginning simulation."
[18 years old. You broke through to Bone Tempering. You were entrusted by Edge Sharpening Manor to come into contact with Flying Dragon Stockade.]
[When you returned to Edge Sharpening Manor, you entrusted Deputy Manor Master Zhu Kangsheng to forge a good saber for you. The other party said that he would do everything he could to forge a saber for you. He hoped that you can kill the leader of the Flying Dragon Stockade, 'Flying Dragon Saber' Qi Xing. You didn't want to be enemies with Blood Tempering martial artists, so you didn't agree.]
[After that, you participated in the auction.]
[A week later, you informed Lu Yi that you had broken through. The other party was overjoyed and agreed to keep it a secret for you. Half a year later, news of you breaking through to the Bone Tempering Realm spread.]
[22 years old. Your Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the Third Level. You went to Edge Sharpening Manor to buy a better saber. Zhu Kangsheng made another request and you agreed.]
[After spending two months scouting, you took advantage of Qi Xing's absence and ambushed him halfway. You successfully killed him and brought the head to Zhu Kangsheng.]
[Three months later, Zhu Kangsheng informed you to get the saber. When you arrived, he actually jumped into the fire and sacrificed himself to forge the saber. You were shocked. A blood-colored saber was forged. You waved it gently and felt that the saber was oppressive.]
[A month later, you left the city to attend an auction at the Chen Family Fort. Halfway there, you were attacked by a Blood Tempering expert. You forced him back with three slashes.]
[You sensed danger and decided to return to Blackrock City. On the way, three Blood Tempering Realm martial artists launched a surprise attack on you. You killed one and severely injured two. In the end, you died from exhaustion.]
"Is the danger in the Flying Dragon Stockade so deep?"
"What kind of grudge does this Deputy Manor Master have that he would sacrifice himself for this saber?"
Han Zhao looked at the information in the simulation and fell into deep thought.
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Chapter 20
[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]
[1: Obtain Trait (Not Selectable)]
[2: Obtained attribute points]
[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]
[Current Balance: 1 tael of gold]
To be able to mobilize three Blood Tempering martial artists, they must be a large faction in the inner city or a top faction like the Chen Family Fort outside the city.
Should he get involved?
Han Zhao hesitated.
"Forget it. We'll talk about it after we get to the bottom of it."
As long as the enemy did not have a Force Tempering Martial Master, he would do it!
In any case, when he was 21 years old, he would definitely reach the Blood Tempering Realm, let alone grasp Internal Force.
"No Trait?" Seeing that [Option 1] was not available, Han Zhao slapped his head. "Sigh—I forgot to burn incense!"
"Two."
[Attribute Point 2]
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Small Mastery 99%. Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 3)
Looking at the progress of the Life Nurturing Technique on the system interface, Han Zhao muttered, "Upgrade the Life Nurturing Technique."
As the 2 attribute points returned to zero, the martial arts column changed.
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Perfection 82%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 4, Lifespan Extension 10 years)
"Second Level Perfection? It didn't break through?" Han Zhao was stunned. He didn't expect that even two attribute points didn't allow the Life Nurturing Technique to break through to the Third Level.
"Huh? What's going on? Hiss!"
Before he could look at the changes in his attributes, he suddenly felt a tearing pain all over his body, as if someone had used a small knife to scratch his muscles.
Every inch of his skin, flesh, and bones felt intense pain.
He collapsed onto the bed, his body arching up as he convulsed.
"Ah!" Han Zhao gritted his teeth tightly, but he still squeezed out some pain from between his teeth.
Pain!
It was too painful!
Although there was a pain the last time he leveled up, the duration was very short. This time, it really made Han Zhao want to scream in pain, but he could only endure it.
After an unknown period of time, Han Zhao was covered in sweat, and the pain in his body quickly subsided like a tide.
Han Zhao panted as he sat up from the bed. He thought to himself, "Is this the price of cheating? This feeling is really…"
"It's wonderful!" Han Zhao felt full of energy.
He took off his wet shirt and saw that the muscles on his upper body, which were originally not obvious, had become well-defined. The lines of his six-pack were clear, and his chest muscles were probably even larger than when Xu Ling was wrapped in the cloth.
"Body Strengthening Level 4! Extended lifespan by 10 years!" Han Zhao looked at the special effect behind the status screen. It actually increased lifespan by 10 years!
When the Life Nurturing Technique was at the First Level, the special effect was Body Strengthening Level 1.
At the Second Level, the special effects could go up by another three levels.
At the Third Level, the level of special effects would probably continue to increase.
"Is this really the Life Nurturing Technique?" Han Zhao could not help but wonder if true qi cultivation methods were all so abnormal.
At the thought of this, Han Zhao picked up the wooden pillow he had taken a corner of.
This time, he did not use his true qi. He only relied on his pure physical strength to squeeze.
Click.
The imprint of his palm clearly appeared on the pillow. With a little more force, the pillow was crushed like bubbles. He did not feel anything when the wooden splinters poked his palm.
"My strength has increased again."
"Right now, I should be a little stronger than the top Bone Tempering martial artists. I just don't know how strong a quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm is. Will I be able to defeat him if I cultivate both externally and internally?"
Currently, Han Zhao had never fought a Blood Tempering expert.
Ever since Zhao Yuantu broke through, he basically wasn't in the martial arts school. Han Zhao didn't have anything to refer to.
As for Lu Yi, he naturally would not spar with a Skin Tempering martial artist like him.
However, judging from the difference in treatment between the Bone Tempering Realm and the Blood Tempering Realm, the difference between the two should be quite large.
"According to this progress, the Second Level of the Life Nurturing Technique will be completed in nine to ten months."
Han Zhao got off the bed to adapt to the changes in his body. He felt uncomfortable from the sweat and prepared to take a shower.
When he opened the water tank, he realized that there was no water inside.
He could only pick up the pole leaning against the wall, hang up two buckets, and go to the river to fetch water.
After some thought, he took off the towel from the shelf and draped it over his shoulder. He was about to go downstream to take a shower.
"You carry the load, and I'll lead the horse to welcome the sunrise and send the sunset away!"
Birds chirped as they flew across the sky. Under the setting sun, Han Zhao hummed a song and carried the water home.
…
The next day.
Han Zhao woke up early and left the city.
It was a pity that he did not have the money to buy a horse, let alone raise one. Otherwise, he would have been able to cover the distance of dozens of miles very quickly.
However, with his current stamina, he could run dozens of miles from beginning to end in less than half an hour.
His current endurance was comparable to a bull or a horse.
Soon, Han Zhao arrived at Edge Sharpening Manor.
This place was less than five kilometers away from the Nine Links Mountain.
The Zhao Family Fort's Nine Links Town was at the foot of the Nine Links Mountain.
Looking at the heavy city wall that was four to five meters tall in front of him, Han Zhao was a little speechless. The factions that could establish themselves outside Blackrock City were not simple. They either had strength or background.
If not for the fact that there were martial artists in this world, Edge Sharpening Manor's 100-odd people could rely on the terrain to resist the enemy's attack with ten times the number of troops.
As for now, Han Zhao only needed to borrow the force once to easily cross this height.
Han Zhao took out Edge Sharpening Manor's token, and the people on the city wall put down the suspension bridge.
A burly middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties walked out. He had a saber on his waist and wore a black vest, revealing his muscular arms and chest muscles.
"I'm Zhu Kangsheng. Greetings, Brother Han."
The person who came was Edge Sharpening Manor's vice owner.
"Greetings, Manor Master Zhu." Han Zhao cupped his fists at the other party and asked directly, "I wonder what trouble Manor Master Zhu has encountered and what you need me to do?"
Zhu Kangsheng said, "I invited Brother Han here this time because I want you to accompany me to the Nine Links Mountain to give the allowance."
"What allowance?" Han Zhao was stunned. There was only one Flying Dragon Stockade on Nine Links Mountain. Could it be that the contact in the simulation was to send money to the bandits' nest?
"In order to ensure safety, the manor has to send regular allowance to the Flying Dragon Stockade every year. Each person has to pay two taels of silver a year," Zhu Kangsheng gritted his teeth and said.
Han Zhao asked in confusion, "Why don't you report it to the government? The county magistrate, the Wu family, has a Force Tempering Martial Master. It's better to give this money to the Wu family than to the bandits, right?"
Zhu Kangsheng sighed. "We have to pay the Wu family too. Four taels of silver per person per year! However, the moment the soldiers leave the city, the bandits of the Flying Dragon Stockade will hide. When the soldiers return to the city, we'll suffer."
'Good lord!'
Han Zhao's expression changed slightly.
"Fifteen years ago, we resisted for the last time. We stopped paying the Zhang Family and sent all the money to the Chen Family Fort. In the end, the Chen Family only went through the motions. Now that the Zhang family is backing the Flying Dragon Stockade, we can't resist at all." At this point, Zhu Kangsheng's body was trembling.
"The Zhang family? The Zhang family in the inner city!" Han Zhao asked.
"Other than that Zhang family, which other Zhang family could it be?" Zhu Kangsheng said hatefully.
"Why don't you go on strike?"
"If I'm really alone, I'll fight them with my life! But who doesn't have a few family members behind them? There can't be too many people living in the manor. There will always be people living outside."
Han Zhao understood.
No wonder Edge Sharpening Manor's hundred-strong men did not resist.
There was indeed no way to resist!
If a Bone Tempering martial artist wore leather armor, he could beat up ten to twenty ordinary people with weapons without being directly surrounded.
Unless these ordinary people wore armor or used crossbows to attack from afar.
However, crossbows and armor were both prohibited items. As the saying went, 'one armor can withstand three crossbows, and three armors can go to hell'.
Han Zhao only asked Edge Sharpening Manor to make a set of leather armor for him and then put on the protective goggles and iron plates himself.
Archery was not an issue, but practicing archery took at least three to five years.
These blacksmiths were already in a terrible fix just by handing in their silver. Every day, they worked hard to forge iron without a break. How could they have the time and energy to practice archery?
As for practicing martial arts, other than resources, one also needed foundation and comprehension.
To flatten the Flying Dragon Stockade, one had to be a quasi-Martial Master at the Blood Tempering Realm. Moreover, one was probably not enough.
Furthermore, the Flying Dragon Stockade had the Zhang family backing it up.
This world was really hard to explain in a few words.
Han Zhao clenched his fists as he listened.
In this world, martial arts was the only way to survive!
[He pays you to work, defeat the evil forces that oppress the commoners, rob the rich to help the poor, and enforce justice on behalf of the heavens.]
"I can't deal with the Zhang family now." Han Zhao sighed inwardly. He really couldn't afford to offend the Zhang family now. After all, the Zhang family had five experts in the Blood Tempering Realm.
He would have to wait at least another year or two!
At that time, he could indeed enforce justice on behalf of the heavens.
"This time, Flying Dragon Stockade wants to collect more money, so I want to ask you to go with us and help mediate. You're Master Lu's disciple, so they should give you face, right?" Zhu Kangsheng sounded a little uncertain.
Han Zhao was stunned. "You also learned martial arts at the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy?"
"Yes, I went to practice martial arts for two years more than ten years ago. However, I learned martial arts too late, so I only reached the Skin Tempering Realm. At that time, the martial arts school was not called this. It was called the 'Mountain Splitting Saber Academy'." Zhu Kangsheng explained, "Unfortunately, the Martial Masters who opened the school in the city only taught martial arts and did not directly participate in the battles between forces."
Zhu Kangsheng looked regretful.
"In that case, let's go." Han Zhao didn't say anything else.
"Let's go."
Chapter 21
Soon, the two of them arrived at the foot of Nine Links Mountain.
In the dense forest halfway up the mountain, he saw three men in black clothes standing by the side of the forest path.
The three of them carried large sabers on their shoulders and looked impatient.
"Manor Master Zhu, you're really slow. You made us brothers wait!"
One of them, the horse-faced man, stepped forward.
When he walked to Zhu Kangsheng's side, he glanced at Han Zhao beside him. After noticing his clothes, he suddenly sneered. "Manor Master Zhu, don't tell me you think that just bringing a child from the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy can support you?"
Zhu Kangsheng's expression froze. He had originally wanted to bring Han Zhao over to mediate. The Flying Dragon Stockade would more or less give him some face. He did not expect the other party to see through his thoughts at a glance.
The horse-faced man reached out and patted Zhu Kangsheng's shoulder. "Have you brought enough money? Everyone will get an additional tael of silver. Originally, we were going to add two taels of silver. Fortunately, our boss is kind-hearted. Now, it's only one tael of silver. Don't you think so?"
[They're really too gentle. They could have snatched it away directly.]
Han Zhao's forehead muscles twitched slightly.
Zhu Kangsheng's expression was a little ugly. He bowed to the horse-faced man and said, "Sir, please make an exception. The men in our manor can't earn more than ten taels of silver a year. They exchange their blood and sweat for money. If they pay one tael more, their children will starve!"
"Cut the crap! Not even a tael of silver or a penny less. If you don't pay, be careful when your family members go out in the future!" The horse-faced man cursed and placed the saber on Zhu Kangsheng's shoulder.
Zhu Kangsheng knelt down with a thud and begged the pockmarked man behind him, "Fourth-in-charge, please give us a way out. Those people in the manor…"
The long-faced man pressed his knife down and interrupted Zhu Kangsheng. "Looks like you haven't suffered enough."
"That's right. It's better for you to starve than for us to starve."
"Do you really think our Flying Dragon Stockade is a charity?"
"We're bandits! Do you know what bandits are?"
"We snatch money."
"Hahaha!"
The fourth-in-charge and another bandit echoed each other.
The horse-faced man's expression was mocking as he punched Zhu Kangsheng's face.
"Bang!"
His fist did not land on Zhu Kangsheng's face.
Han Zhao held the hilt of the saber with his right hand and blocked his fist with the scabbard.
"You?!" The horse-faced man was shocked. His punch seemed to have hit a wall, but the scabbard did not move under his strength.
This young man was so strong!
Step! Step!
Han Zhao exerted force, and the horse-faced man was forced to take a few steps back.
"Haha! Zhang Hong, did you f*cking use all your strength in bed last night?!"
"You don't even have the strength to hit people. You haven't eaten, right?"
"Go to hell!" The horse-faced man was furious. He raised his saber and slashed at Han Zhao.
Han Zhao was expressionless. He took a step back with his left foot and turned around, dodging the horse-faced man's powerful saber.
Swoosh!
At the same time, Han Zhao unsheathed the long saber in his hand. He spread his fingers, and the hilt of the saber seemed to stick to his palm. The saber drew an arc in the air.
Clang! Before the scabbard fell to the ground, Han Zhao returned the saber to its sheath and put it back into his belt.
Bang! The horse-faced man's right hand and saber fell to the ground at the same time.
"Ah! My hand!!!" The horse-faced man let out an earth-shattering scream.
Pfft!
A bright silver blade flashed, and the screams stopped.
The horse-faced man's head fell to the ground with a thud. His body was still standing on the spot, and more than three feet of blood splattered.
"Rascal! How dare you?!"
The sudden change shocked the other two.
"You're courting death!" The fourth-in-charge dragged his saber and ran towards Han Zhao.
Clang!
The two sabers clashed, and the saber shook violently, emitting a loud sound.
Crack!
The fourth-in-charge felt a huge force pass through the blade and into his arm. The bones in his right forearm instantly broke and snapped.
"Ah! You're in the Blood Tempering Realm?!"
His face was filled with disbelief, and his eyes widened in horror as if he had seen a ghost. Although he had only entered the Bone Tempering Realm for less than a year, his arm should not have been broken by a single strike.
It was too terrifying!
"Run… run…" The fourth-in-charge ran away. At this moment, he really hated his parents for not giving him two more legs.
The expression on the other person's face instantly froze. He actually threw the saber in his hand to the ground and decisively ran to the other side.
Han Zhao's expression was cold, and a trace of viciousness flashed across his eyes.
Swoosh!
He threw the long saber in his hand at the fourth-in-charge and immediately chased after the person on the left.
"Don't come over!" The person who was running away heard the footsteps coming from behind. He was so frightened that he cried. He turned around, took out two handfuls of lime powder, and threw them at Han Zhao's face.
Han Zhao suddenly stomped on the ground with his left foot. With an extremely exaggerated speed and explosive force, he quickly stopped and turned around, dodging the lime powder that was charging at him. Then, he threw a punch and hit the other party's face.
Accompanied by the sound of the skull shattering, that person's head exploded like a watermelon, and blood and brain matter splattered all over the ground.
Thump!
The man's body fell backward.
Han Zhao's right fist shook hard. He squatted down and wiped the other party's clothes. He got up and walked to the right.
The fourth-in-charge fell to the ground, his body convulsing non-stop. The long knife pierced through the back of his neck and emerged from his throat.
"This… This is…" Zhu Kangsheng, who was kneeling on the ground, widened his eyes. Before he could even get up, Han Zhao had already killed three bandits with lightning speed. The fourth-in-charge of the Flying Dragon Stockade was a Bone Tempering martial artist, but he was actually unable to fight back?
Han Zhao wiped the blood off his saber and sheathed it. The viciousness in his eyes had completely dissipated.
He had already felt injustice when he came, but he did not want to interfere.
However, the other party had provoked him.
Only by drawing his saber could the world be peaceful.
"Killing the bandits has provoked the Flying Dragon Stockade. Looks like I have to think of a way to destroy the Flying Dragon Stockade. I can't let the Zhang family off either. Otherwise, it will be too dangerous!"
After selling the Pine Breeze Sword Technique this time, he would not leave the city easily unless he cultivated the Life Nurturing Technique to the Third Level.
"Hahaha! Good death! Good death!" Zhu Kangsheng suddenly laughed out loud like a crazy man.
However, when he saw Han Zhao skillfully touching the corpse, his laughter suddenly stopped.
"Brother Han, you're in the Blood Tempering Realm?!" Zhu Kangsheng snapped out of his daze.
"No, I just broke through to the Bone Tempering Realm yesterday." Han Zhao shook his head and added, "I was just born with divine strength."
"Good! That's great!" Zhu Kangsheng suddenly knelt on the ground, tears, and snot flowing down his face. "Brother Han, you must help me. I beg you! I'll give you all my assets. I'll forge a saber for you. I'll use everything I've learned in my life to forge a good saber for you!"
Han Zhao's heart skipped a beat, and he said seriously, "What do I have to pay?"
"Help me kill the leader of the Flying Dragon Stockade, Qi Xing!" Zhu Kangsheng's face was filled with hatred, and his face was almost twisted.
"And the reason?"
"He killed my entire family 15 years ago. Back then, I was the one who led the rebellion against the Flying Dragon Stockade. In the end…"
"I'm not Qi Xing's match now, and I can't deal with the Zhang family," Han Zhao said in a low voice.
"It's okay, I can wait for you. You're only 18 years old this year, right? You haven't practiced martial arts for more than a year and a half? I'll wait for you to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm. I can wait for eight to ten years!" Zhu Kangsheng hurriedly said. If Han Zhao agreed directly, he would have some doubts. Han Zhao's current performance showed that he was prepared to fulfill his promise.
Furthermore, based on the fact that Han Zhao paid back the money on credit and did not drag it out, he knew that Han Zhao was a man of his word.
What's more, he had fought the three of them just now to help him. Otherwise, he could have just watched him get beaten up and not provoked the Flying Dragon Stockade.
At this moment, Zhu Kangsheng was like a drowning person who had grabbed onto his last life-saving straw.
"Get up," Han Zhao said calmly.
"Brother Han, believe me! I…"
"Three years."
"I can help you… What did you say?" Zhu Kangsheng was stunned.
"In three years, I'll help you kill Qi Xing," Han Zhao added. Although he might break through in two years, it was better to be more conservative.
Zhu Kangsheng widened his eyes and stared at Han Zhao, but he didn't see any signs of lying or boasting on his face.
After a long time, he stood up. "I believe you! I'll forge the saber for you first. When you bring Qi Xing's head to me, I'll pour my life's work into it and reforge a treasure saber for you!"
"Mm." Han Zhao nodded.
With such hatred, nothing Han Zhao said could comfort him. What Zhu Kangsheng wanted was for him to complete the deal.
At this moment, Zhu Kangsheng looked up at the sky and said in a choked voice, "Yu'er, Feiyu, wait for me for another three years! I'll be back soon to accompany you!"
After saying that, he wiped his tears and snot. "Brother Han, leave this place quickly. Leave the matters here to me. What happened today has nothing to do with you. You only accompanied me to the foot of the mountain before leaving."
"I understand."
Han Zhao's expression was calm as he turned around and left.
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Chapter 22
Six days later.
Dressed in white and wearing a fox mask, Han Zhao disguised himself as Song Que and arrived at the Chen Family Fort in Nine Links Town.
Although it was called a fort, it was actually a small city.
The prosperity inside was not inferior to the inner city of Blackrock City, but it was not as big as the inner city.
As a force with a Force Tempering Martial Master, the Chen Family Fort had the ability to do so.
No one dared to cause trouble around Nine Links Town. Otherwise, they would be disrespecting the Chen Family Fort.
That day, after Han Zhao left Nine Links Mountain, he ran straight back to Blackrock City.
Although he did not know how Zhu Kangsheng dealt with the aftermath, the other party had indeed returned to Edge Sharpening Manor safely.
Obviously, Flying Dragon Stockade did not know that he had killed three bandits.
"I hope it fetches a good price."
Han Zhao originally thought that the auction would be held in the Chen Family Fort, but after asking around, he found out that the auction would be held in the hall on the second floor of the Jiangyue Restaurant in the center of the town.
This made things much more convenient.
When Han Zhao arrived at the Jiangyue Restaurant, a row of martial artists with swords and sabers on their waists stood at the door. They were all wearing blue slim-fit clothes with the word "Chen" embroidered on their chests. They were all from the Chen family.
Seeing Han Zhao walk towards the door, one of the Chen family disciples walked forward and cupped his fists at him. "Are you here to participate in my Chen family's auction?"
"Yes." Han Zhao's tone was calm.
"Please show us the invitation token for the auction, or pay the entrance deposit of ten taels of silver first. After the auction ends, the silver will be returned." The Chen family disciple explained.
Han Zhao took out the token he had obtained from the Saber Hunters' stronghold.
The Chen family disciple took the token and checked it. After confirming it, he returned the token to Han Zhao and gave up his position. "The auction venue is in the hall on the second floor. Please!"
Han Zhao paused and asked, "I want to auction a secret manual. Who should I look for?"
"The supervisor is on the second floor. Just look for him."
"Yes, thank you." Han Zhao nodded, stepped through the door, and went up the stairs to the second floor.
There were about 70 to 80 armchairs placed in the hall on the second floor. Each chair was about two meters apart, and half of the chairs were already occupied. Among these people, there were martial artists in tight clothes and nobles in luxurious clothes.
Many martial artists were also wearing masks and hiding their figures. Some of them were even covered in black robes, and they could not even tell if they were male or female.
At the front of the hall was a wooden table. A muscular middle-aged man was sitting on a chair with four martial artists with sabers at their waists standing behind him.
Han Zhao walked forward and took out the Pine Breeze Sword Technique to request for an auction.
"Pine Breeze Sword Technique?" The middle-aged man seemed to have heard of this sword technique. He sized up Han Zhao, who had hidden his figure, and stood up. He cupped his fists and said, "Are you Song Que?"
"Yes." Han Zhao nodded. As he killed wanted criminals one after another, he had become somewhat famous among the Saber Hunters.
"I'm Chen Yang, the manager of the Chen Family Fort's auction." Chen Yang handed a white token with a number written on it to Han Zhao. "After the auction ends, please use this token to withdraw the money. In addition, the starting price of this sword technique is set at 80 taels. If it isn't sold, you still have to pay a 5% commission. Is that okay?"
"Okay." Han Zhao took the token. The starting price of the Pine Breeze Sword Technique was not high.
After giving Chen Yang a fist salute, he went to the window seat in the back row far away from the staircase, and sat down.
After waiting for about half an hour, the auction began.
People came to the second floor one after another, but the chairs in the hall were still not full. There were still more than ten empty chairs.
Chen Yang stood up and cupped his fists at everyone present. "I didn't expect so many people to come to support the large-scale auction before the end of the year. I thank everyone for coming."
"Manager Chen, you're too kind. Of course, we have to support the Chen Family Fort."
The martial artists below immediately responded.
Chen Yang stopped being polite and said, "Let's not talk too much. The auction will begin now. The first item is a spear technique that can be cultivated to the Bone Tempering Realm. It's called the Soul Chasing Spear Technique. The starting price is 30 taels."
The martial techniques used to practice weapons were clearly stronger than fist and leg techniques. The most common ones were saber techniques and sword techniques. Spears, halberds, and rods were rarer.
However, martial artists who could cultivate weapons more or less had some family background. Therefore, no one was very enthusiastic about spear techniques that could only be cultivated to the Bone Tempering Realm.
However, someone still made a bid.
"35 taels!" A man wearing a ghost mask made a bid.
"40 taels." An old man beside Han Zhao followed.
However, other than the two of them, no one else made a bid.
In the end, the ghost-masked man won the Soul Chasing Spear Technique for 50 taels of silver.
Then, Chen Yang threw out two more Bone Tempering Realm weapon cultivation methods, but there were still very few bidders.
"The next 'Pine Breeze Sword Technique' can be cultivated to the Blood Tempering Realm. Although there's no fundamental diagram of grasping Internal Force, there's a blood qi circulation diagram. The starting price is 80 taels."
Seeing that everyone was not in a good mood, Chen Yang took out a better secret manual.
"The Pine Breeze Sword Technique? Isn't this the Pine Breeze Sword Zhou Han's famous ultimate technique?"
"He broke through to the Blood Tempering Realm? So he's short of money and has to sell the secret manual?"
"Sell my ass! He must have been killed!"
As soon as Chen Yang finished speaking, the sound of conversation could be heard in the field.
Zhou Han was considered a relatively famous martial artist below the Blood Tempering Realm.
Of course, it was not a good reputation.
"90 taels!"
"100 taels!"
"110 taels!"
Everyone made their bids.
"200 taels!" At this moment, a young man in his early twenties in the front row raised the bid by 90 taels.
The scene instantly fell silent.
Although the Pine Breeze Sword Technique was somewhat famous, it was only worth about 150 taels of silver. Now that this price was expensive, no one made another bid.
Han Zhao was overjoyed. There were so many rich people.
After the deal was made, the Chen family disciples brought over a tray covered with a red cloth.
Chen Yang lifted the red cloth and introduced a purple booklet. "Everyone, this secret manual is called the Sword Accumulation Technique. It's a special sword technique that can be cultivated at any realm! No matter how low one's aptitude is, one can still master it. Furthermore, the power after mastering it is astonishing! Previously, a Bone Tempering Realm martial artist used this sword technique to severely injure a Blood Tempering Realm expert with a single strike."
"What? The Bone Tempering Realm severely injured the Blood Tempering Realm?"
"Bullsh*t! The cultivation technique you sold last time had the same description. What happened in the end? Isn't this a lie?!"
"Why didn't you mention the fatal prerequisite beforehand?"
As soon as Chen Yang finished speaking, there was an uproar below, but they were all newcomers.
Some of them had already been tricked. The Chen family auctioned a few such cultivation methods every year, and most of them were scams.
[It's a pretty good explosive sword technique. Although it has a lot of restrictions, it's nothing to you. It can be used as your trump card to trick people at critical moments.]
A reliable notification appeared, and Han Zhao's interest was piqued.
Chen Yang no longer kept him in suspense and added, "There are naturally some restrictions to this sword technique that can allow one to surpass one's realm to fight an enemy. That is, before drawing the sword, one has to use one's essence, qi, and spirit to 'nourish' the sword. The longer the 'nurturing' is, the more blood qi it consumes, and the stronger the power of the 'drawing the sword'. If everyone wants to keep a trump card, this Sword Accumulation Technique can't be missed. The starting price is 80 taels!"
In fact, Chen Yang had hidden something. The martial artist at the perfected Bone Tempering Realm had spent two years 'nurturing the sword'. He had exhausted his blood qi with one strike and died on the spot. That was how he had severely injured the Blood Tempering Realm martial artist. Furthermore, the prerequisite was that the Blood Tempering Realm martial artist had been stalled and taken the strike head-on.
Although the Chen family kept a copy of the manual, this kind of sword skill was fatal. No one was willing to cultivate it.
"I knew it!"
"How can there be such a good thing!"
"As long as there's a chance to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm, who would expend their blood qi to cultivate such a thing?"
Chen Yang's words extinguished everyone's enthusiasm.
Even if it was a Bone Tempering Realm martial artist who had already passed the peak of blood qi at the age of 25, as long as they had the slightest chance of breaking through to the Blood Tempering Realm, they would definitely not give up.
This was because after reaching the peak of blood qi, only the probability of breaking through would decrease. It was not that he could not break through.
Reaching the Blood Tempering Realm could increase one's lifespan by 20 years. This was a temptation that no martial artist could resist.
If they used their blood qi to nurture the sword, it would extinguish their last hope.
Even if they could not break through, martial artists with exuberant blood qi could live a few more years. Exhausting blood qi was equivalent to using their lives to nurture the sword.
"Sword Accumulation Technique?" Han Zhao's eyes flickered slightly. This thing was naturally not attractive to others, but he had the system. If others wanted to use blood qi to nourish the sword, he could use the true qi of the Life Nurturing Technique to replace them. As long as there was enough energy to replenish it, true qi and blood qi could be easily recovered.
In any case, the process of cultivating true qi required the consumption of stamina and blood qi.
Although his current attribute points were not enough to cover his expenses, as his strength increased, he would be able to obtain more Yin energy and gold sooner or later.
During this process, the enemies he faced would definitely become stronger.
Although he liked to crush his opponents with a higher realm, it was hard to guarantee that he would not encounter top experts of the same realm or martial artists of a higher realm than him.
"As long as there's enough nutrition, even the 'sword nurturing' won't affect my cultivation progress. I'll buy it!" Han Zhao made a decision.
With the Sword Accumulation Technique, other than true qi, he had another trump card.
At that time, it would be the real 'Sword and Saber Duo'!
"80 taels." Just when Chen Yang thought that he was going to lose the bid, a middle-aged man made a bid with an uncertain tone.
Han Zhao was stunned. Then, he raised his hand and said firmly, "90 taels!"
"There are really people who buy this kind of sword technique?"
Everyone looked like they were watching a show.
When the middle-aged man saw Han Zhao's determined look, he hesitated for a moment and gave up on bidding.
"Alright! Congratulations to the guest on the 25th for winning the 'Sword Accumulation Technique'." Chen Yang hurriedly confirmed it. It was fine as long as it didn't fail.
The following items became more and more expensive, and many of them made Han Zhao envious. However, he only wanted to take a look.
The final item was 100-year-old ginseng. It was sold for a high price of 1,000 taels. This thing could save a severely injured martial artist's life. The price depended on the demand.
The item on the stage was a prescription called the Blood Nourishment Powder. Taking the Blood Nourishment Powder for a long time could increase one's blood qi and increase the chances of grasping Internal Force.
In the end, the formula for the Blood Nourishing Powder was sold for an exaggerated 3,500 taels of silver.
It could only be said that poverty limited Han Zhao's imagination.
After the auction ended, Han Zhao went to the counter to look for Chen Yang. After deducting the commission and the cost of the Sword Accumulation Technique, he took 100 taels of silver from him.
He did not exchange it for gold because the Essence Soul Bead still had to accumulate Yin energy for a period of time before it could be simulated. During this period of time, he needed to eat more meat to satisfy his body's consumption and speed up the cultivation of the Life Nurturing Technique. Therefore, he needed money.
Before leaving, Chen Yang gave Han Zhao a green token as an entry ticket to the annual large-scale auction.
Han Zhao took the token and left the Jiangyue Restaurant.
After taking a few steps out of the door, he realized that someone was following behind him.
'Someone's here to give me their fortune?'
However, when Han Zhao quickened his pace and left the town, a low cry of surprise suddenly came from behind. "Damn it! I remember now. He's Song Que!"
"Which Song Que?"
"It's the one who killed Zhou Han!"
"You guys go ahead. I'm leaving."
"F*ck! Wait for me!"
There was the sound of hurried footsteps.
Han Zhao watched as the four of them quickly disappeared. He was dumbfounded. "…"
'They changed their mind after so long?!'
Some time ago, he encountered a robber on the road. The robber was very polite and apologized on the spot with his death. He also compensated Han Zhao for his mental damage.
These four people were not professional at all!
Since they were short of money, they should rob him!
'Don't you know that fortune comes from danger?'
[I suggest that you change your alias and act like you're stupid and rich. Only then can you be better at baiting… I mean, enforcing justice on behalf of the heavens!]
"I was too careless." Han Zhao sighed in his heart. When he left, his back view became even more lonely.
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Chapter 23
After changing in the forest, Han Zhao returned to Blackrock City.
He had gained a lot today, so he decided to eat something good.
After entering the city, he went straight to the Yejiang District and came to a small restaurant that specialized in selling haggis soup.
The shop wasn't big, and the decorations were ordinary. However, the ingredients were real and the taste was very good. A bowl of haggis soup cost five copper coins, and the price was also affordable.
After his strength had increased greatly, his appetite also increased.
Although Han Zhao could afford a big restaurant now, there was no need.
This kind of life was not rich, but it was also very fulfilling.
Every cent he spent and every day of hard work would be reflected in the progress bar of the system interface and the changes in his body.
This feeling was very good.
"Han, you have a good appetite." The owner of the small restaurant served another big bowl of haggis soup and a plate of pancakes.
Because Han Zhao had been coming to eat every month for the past year or so, they became cooked after a while.
There were four empty bowls in front of Han Zhao, and the dozens of fried dough cakes on the plate were also eaten by him.
"It's alright, it's alright." Han Zhao placed the empty bowl in his hand at the side and drank the new bowl of haggis soup. He grabbed the pancake with his left hand and stuffed it into his mouth. As he ate, he muttered, "It's mainly because Uncle Li's haggis soup is delicious. It's indeed the best in Blackrock City!"
"Of course." The boss was all smiles when he heard that. He returned to the kitchen and filled a small bowl with haggis before placing it on Han Zhao's table.
"Han, this is for you."
"Thank you, Uncle Li."
"Hey—you're welcome." The boss waved his hand.
After eating and drinking her fill, Han Zhao put down thirty copper coins. "Uncle Li, I'm leaving!"
"Alright, come again next time!"
"Of course!"
Han Zhao waved his hand and walked out of the door. He looked at his round stomach and patted it gently. "Digest it well. Don't lose to the system!"
After taking a few steps, Han Zhao stopped in his tracks. He thought that this place was quite close to the martial arts school and planned to make a trip to the martial arts school to see if Zhao Yuantu was around. Then, he would arrange a time to spar with him.
After his Life Nurturing Technique's Body Strengthening special effect was raised to Level 3, once the strength of his internal and external cultivation was unleashed, he felt that it would be like killing a chicken against ordinary Bone Tempering martial artists.
There was no need to play dirty. He could just crush them.
Only Zhou Han, who had reached the Perfected Bone Tempering Realm, could struggle against him.
A few days ago, after the Body Strengthening Special Effect was upgraded to Level 4, Han Zhao felt that his strength had increased a lot.
Therefore, he wanted to directly experience the strength of a Blood Tempering Realm martial artist and use Zhao Yuantu as a reference to see how strong he was.
Han Zhao had just turned around when he saw a man and two women walking toward him on the street. They were Xu Ling, Su Yun, and Zhang Tianwen.
'Looks like they're out for lunch.'
"Junior Brother Han!" Xu Ling waved at Han Zhao as soon as she saw him.
Han Zhao walked up and asked Xu Ling if Zhao Yuantu was at the martial arts school.
"Senior Sister Xu." He smiled and greeted Xu Ling. Then, he looked at Su Yun and Zhang Tianwen.
"Senior Sister Su, Senior Brother Zhang."
Su Yun nodded, but Zhang Tianwen ignored him.
Because of Zhao Yuantu, Zhang Tianwen hated Han Zhao.
A few days ago, when Han Zhao returned to the city, he specially asked around and found out that there was only one Zhang family in the city. He also understood which family the Flying Dragon Stockade was backed by.
In order to be safe, he decided to wait until he could destroy the Zhang family. Otherwise, it would be too dangerous.
"Junior Brother Han, why haven't you come to the martial arts school recently? Teacher Lu has asked a few times." Xu Ling asked doubtfully.
Han Zhao spread his hands helplessly. "I have no choice. I have to think of a way to earn money. Otherwise, I can't maintain my cultivation progress."
Xu Ling was a little embarrassed. She felt that she had asked a stupid question.
"I'll return to the martial arts school in two days. By the way, is Eldest Senior Brother in the martial arts school?" Han Zhao changed the topic.
Xu Ling replied, "Eldest Senior Brother went to Yufeng City with our Xu family's caravan. He will probably only be back in a few days. Is there something urgent that you want to talk to him about?"
"There's nothing urgent. I'll look for him when he comes back in a few days." Han Zhao smiled.
"Alright then." Xu Ling nodded slightly and suggested, "Junior Brother Han, we're going to eat. Do you want to join us?"
"No, I just had five big bowls of haggis soup. There! That's the one."
Han Zhao pointed at the small restaurant behind him.
Zhang Tianwen chuckled. He opened his fan and fanned himself in a confident manner. He said, "Junior Sister Xu, Junior Brother Han already said that he's thinking of a way to earn money. Do you still want him to eat at the Prosperous Moon Restaurant with us? Isn't that forcing him?"
"Xu Ling, since Junior Brother Han has already eaten, let's go," Su Yun said. Although she did not have a good impression of Han Zhao, she could not stand Zhang Tianwen targeting Han Zhao like this. It was too ungentlemanly.
"It's nothing, Junior Martial Brother Han. Let's go, it's my treat!" Xu Ling patted her flat chest.
"Next time." Han Zhao would not stand on ceremony. If Zhang Tianwen was not around, he would be able to eat another meal.
If Zhang Tianwen continued to spout nonsense, he would probably not be able to help but ask for compensation for mental damage tonight.
"Is that haggis soup really that delicious?" Xu Ling changed the topic.
"I think it's delicious, but I don't know if you…" Just as Han Zhao was saying that she was not used to it, he remembered that she had eaten more than him at the snack street last time and paused.
"Let's go! We'll have haggis soup for lunch today," Xu Ling said as she clenched her fists.
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Chapter 24
Zhang Tianwen and Su Yun frowned.
"Are you guys going?" Xu Ling turned to look at Su Yun.
Su Yun shook her head.
"Then I'll go by myself. Coincidentally, I don't have enough money recently," Xu Ling said with a smile, dimples appearing on her cheeks.
As she spoke, she pulled Han Zhao's sleeve and left. "Junior Brother Han, eat another bowl with me."
"I'll go if you're treating." Han Zhao made a request.
"No problem!" Xu Ling quickly walked towards the small restaurant.
Han Zhao frowned. If he had known earlier, he would have chosen to eat later. This way, he could get a free meal.
"Hmph!" Zhang Tianwen's expression was a little ugly.
Ever since he failed to recruit Zhao Yuantu, he had placed his attention on Xu Ling.
If he could marry Xu Ling, it would be beneficial to his future.
If Xu Ling succeeded in inheriting the family business, he would control half of the Xu family's trading company in the future.
Even if Xu Ling failed, he could use this opportunity to rope in Zhao Yuantu.
Moreover, Xu Ling was quite pretty.
However, he did not expect Xu Ling to be as foolish as Han Zhao. He had already taken the initiative to express his goodwill, but she was still pretending.
How could this woman be so shallow?!
Other than the fact that Han Zhao was slightly more handsome than him, how could he compare to him?
If not for the fact that Han Zhao had a good relationship with Zhao Yuantu and was slightly talented in saber techniques which caught Lu Yi's eye, he would have 10,000 ways to kill Han Zhao.
…
"Phew~ I've finally gotten rid of him." Xu Ling ran into the small restaurant and let out a long sigh of relief. It seemed that it was not because she was tired physically, but mentally.
"It seems like you don't like Zhang Tianwen very much," Han Zhao said with a smile.
"Aren't you the same?"
"I won't deny that."
"Ever since the last time, he has been pestering me. I can't directly fall out with him. I have no choice." Xu Ling was a little helpless.
"Last time?" Han Zhao was stunned.
"It was that time…" Xu Ling's small and fair ears turned red.
"Oh!" Han Zhao suddenly understood and looked down at Xu Ling's chest.
"He stares at me every day, making me have goosebumps all over. I've been wearing a few more undergarments recently. You haven't been coming to the martial arts school recently, and he often wants to spar with me. Fortunately, Su Yun helped me block it. It's disgusting!" Xu Ling's eyes were murderous, revealing her sharp teeth.
"Aren't you afraid that I'll tell him?" Han Zhao smiled.
"You won't! I'm very good at judging people." Xu Ling blinked. "I've never told Su Yun this before. I'm afraid she'll let it slip, but Junior Brother Han, you definitely won't betray me."
"That's true." Han Zhao nodded.
"Last time…" Xu Ling suddenly leaned forward and lowered her voice, "You broke Fang Hongyun's leg, right?"
Han Zhao was shocked and said without changing her expression, "Senior Sister Xu, don't malign a good person!"
Xu Ling looked at Han Zhao from the corner of her eyes. The corners of her lips curled up, and she had an expression that said, "I know even if you don't admit it."
"In any case, I've wanted to hit him a few times!" Xu Ling waved her fists and said fiercely.
As she spoke, she looked at the kitchen. "Boss, give me six bowls of haggis soup!"
"Alright!" The boss replied.
Han Zhao poked Xu Ling's shoulder.
"What?" Xu Ling turned to look at him.
Han Zhao said, "I can't eat much."
"I'm sorry, I forgot to order yours." Xu Ling smiled.
She then said to the kitchen, "Boss, one more bowl! Seven bowls!"
Han Zhao was a little speechless. He sized Xu Ling up thoughtfully.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Xu Ling pouted.
"I'm fine." Han Zhao shook his head.
She was quite sensible. That was not surprising.
…
After another meal, Han Zhao returned home.
He took out the 'Sword Accumulation Technique' that he had spent 90 taels of silver to buy and flipped through it.
"This Sword Accumulation Technique does have some tricks, but it doesn't feel complete."
The more Han Zhao looked at it, the more shocked he became.
The Sword Accumulation Technique was divided into two parts: the Sword Nurturing Technique and the Sword Drawing Technique.
The content was also very simple. It was about how to provide essence, qi, and spirit to nurture the sword, allowing the sword to accumulate a domineering and peerless sword intent over a long period of nourishment. In the end, it would form an indestructible sword qi!
This way, when he attacked, he could release all the power he had accumulated in an instant, reaching a shocking effect.
"You're indeed boastful. However, according to the nourishment method in the secret manual, as long as one has enough essence, qi, and spirit, it's indeed not an exaggeration. It's just that…"
Han Zhao frowned slightly.
The Sword Accumulation Technique had many restrictions.
Firstly, it was best to carry the sword with him at all times during the sword nurturing process. Secondly, he had to spend time every day nurturing the sword. Even if he contributed less essence, qi, and spirit, it was fine. However, he could not slack off for a day.
Lastly, he could usually draw his sword at will, but once he expended his blood qi to activate it, he would release all his strength the moment he drew his sword. After that, he would have to 'nurture' his sword again.
In other words, there was only the power of one strike.
However, this was not a problem for Han Zhao.
After all, if he could not defeat the enemy even if he used his saber technique and true qi, he could only rely on this Sword Drawing Technique to fight to the death.
It could be used as an ultimate move.
At this moment, Han Zhao thought of a character he had seen in a television drama in his previous life. He didn't remember his name, but the other party had a super cool ultimate skill called the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique.
If he continued to nurture it, he did not know if this Sword Drawing Technique would really be able to cut the sky one day.
[With the savings you currently have, I guarantee that your intake of meat will not be affected. Spending two hours a day to nurture your sword nurturing will not have any obvious impact on your cultivation progress.]
A serious notification appeared.
Han Zhao thought to himself, "Looks like I'll use a saber in normal combat in the future. I'll use a sword if I have to risk my life."
This way, the [Sword and Saber Duo] Trait could continue to improve.
In any case, martial artists would usually bring backup weapons. It was not special to carry a saber and a sword.
Moreover, in order to hide his identity as Song Que, every time he went out, other than using the Bone Shrinking Technique to change his appearance and figure and change into white clothes, he had even prepared two different colors for the scabbard of the Frost Saber.
When the time came, he could completely use the scabbard to store the swords. Outsiders would only think that he had brought two sabers with him. Anyway, the body of the Frost Saber was straight, so it was not a problem to store the swords.
Of course, it was best to change to another saber.
"Looks like I have to get Manor Master Zhu to forge a good sword for me and change it to a saber." Han Zhao thought to himself.
He still had more than a hundred taels of silver on him. He would use half of his budget to customize a good sword. It should last for a period of time. After all, it would be nurtured normally.
Han Zhao locked the door and headed out of the city towards Nine Links Mountain.
Just treat it as digestion after dinner.
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Chapter 25
"You want to custom-make a sword?! Are you sure?"
Zhu Kangsheng frowned slightly when Han Zhao had come looking for him. He thought that Han Zhao wanted to change to a better saber, but he didn't expect him to ask for a sword.
Han Zhao understood what Zhu Kangsheng was worried about. He patted Zhu Kangsheng's shoulder and said seriously, "Don't worry. I'll only fulfill my promise in advance. I won't delay it. The sword technique is also to increase my trump card. I'll only tell you about this. Don't tell anyone else."
"I understand." Zhu Kangsheng felt relieved when he saw Han Zhao's confident expression.
With Han Zhao's exaggerated aptitude, it didn't seem to be a problem for him to practice another sword technique.
Moreover, he could not find another person who was capable and willing to help him.
"Do the math. How much is it?" Han Zhao continued.
"There's no need. Leave it to me," Zhu Kangsheng said seriously.
"Alright." Han Zhao didn't stand on ceremony with him. After all, if his strength increased, he could complete the transaction faster.
"Brother Han, how about this? I'll forge a saber and a sword for you first. When you complete our deal, I'll reforge the saber and sword for you," Zhu Kangsheng continued.
"It's just that in this way, when you finally reforge it, the quality will be lower than reforging just one weapon. After all, even if I spend my life's work and materials, it's not enough to forge two high-quality weapons for you."
"Is that so?" Han Zhao frowned slightly. It was really difficult for him to choose one out of two.
The Sword Accumulation Technique did not have strict requirements for sword nurturing. However, the higher the quality of the sword, the better the effect of the sword nurturing and the stronger the power of the sword. He did not want to lose in terms of weapon quality one day.
Thinking of this, he asked, "What if I gather the materials for you? Is that okay?"
"Then there's no big problem." Zhu Kangsheng nodded. "Please collect more black gold. This will ensure the quality of the final reforging. I can prepare all the other materials, but I can't afford this black gold."
Black gold was a relatively precious forging material. It could increase the strength and toughness of weapons. Some martial artists who were good at fist and palm techniques would buy gloves mixed with black gold if they had money. It was not a problem for them to fight against swords.
Generally speaking, one tael of gold could only buy one tael of black gold. This was the lowest price in the market.
"I'll think of a way to collect black gold." Han Xiao said.
Although it was a deal, he would not make things difficult for Zhu Kangsheng. After all, it was a weapon that he wanted to use.
"How many catties of black gold do you need?" Han Zhao added.
"It depends on how heavy and long your sword is," Zhu Kangsheng replied.
"That's true. I almost forgot." Han Zhao took out the sketch of the saber he needed. He still liked sabers that looked like the Tang saber. They were easy to use and comfortable to look at.
He was not interested in fancy stuff like machetes and nine-ringed sabers. As long as the material was good enough, the shape of the saber would not affect him much.
Zhu Kangsheng took the blueprint and looked at it carefully. The drawing was not bad. It had a clear range of requirements for length, width, and weight. This also reduced the trouble for him to forge.
Although Han Zhao was not a weapon enthusiast in his previous life, he liked to watch martial arts dramas and watch highlights of intense battles.
He had even bought a Tang saber and a Tang Dynasty Warrior suit to satisfy his cravings.
However, he was tired after playing with a sword that weighed more than three pounds. Now, the four-pound Frost Saber was like a toy to him. It was too light.
After breaking through to the Bone Tempering Realm, coupled with the increase in the special effect of the Life Nurturing Technique, the strength of his arm was already close to 150 kilograms.
The largest stone lock in the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy was close to 150 kilograms. According to Lu Yi, it was for Blood Tempering Realm martial artists to train.
Han Zhao had secretly tried it before. He could move if he used his full strength.
Now, he could probably move easily.
Using all his strength to move something that weighed 150 kilograms was not the same as doing it casually.
"You want a weapon that weighs 20 catties?!" Zhu Kangsheng was stunned when he realized that there was a '0' behind the '2'.
"I need it in the future, but you can forge a sword and saber that weighs seven to eight catties for now. Is it difficult?" Han Xiao asked.
He had to at least wait until he reached the Blood Tempering Realm or the Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the Third Level before dealing with the Flying Dragon Stockade. At that time, his arm strength would probably exceed 500 catties.
Therefore, a knife weighing 20 to 30 catties was more suitable for him.
"That's not a problem." Zhu Kangsheng nodded with a hesitant expression. "It's just that this way, you have to prepare at least 15 kilograms of black gold. In such a short period of time…"
It wasn't that he didn't believe that Han Zhao could improve further in two to three years, but to buy 30 catties of black gold, he needed at least 60 catties of gold, which was 600 taels of gold and 6,000 taels of silver.
In the previous dynasty, an Emperor of Great Qin had modified the Weights and Measures system, changing one catty to sixteen taels of silver to ten taels of silver per catty. In the current Wei, Chu, and Qi countries, sixty catties of gold was exactly six thousand taels of silver.
This number could only be taken out by a Force Tempering Martial Master or a noble.
"Don't worry. Forge it for me first. I'll think of a way to solve the other matters." Han Zhao smiled. As his strength increased, his ability to earn money would naturally increase.
"Alright, I'll forge a sword for you first. I don't forge many swords. Come and get the sword in three months and the saber in two months." After receiving Han Zhao's guarantee, Zhu Kangsheng didn't say anything else.
Originally, he would only reforge the saber and sword for Han Zhao after the transaction ended. When the reforging was completed, he would die.
The reason why he cared so much was that he wanted to be a blacksmith for his entire life. He wanted his final work to be as perfect as possible so that his life would not be in vain.
"In that case, I'll leave it to you! Manor Master Zhu."
Han Zhao cupped his fists and said solemnly.
Following that, he discussed the details of the saber and sword with Zhu Kangsheng and only returned to Blackrock City in the evening.
…
Five days later.
In the morning.
Han Zhao stood in the courtyard and used the Frost Saber to practice the Sword Drawing Technique.
Although the Sword Drawing Technique was not difficult and its power depended almost entirely on the completion rate of the sword nurturing, Han Zhao would not discount it if it was perfect.
When doing anything, if a person slacked off 1% today, they would slack off 2% tomorrow. One day, they won't want to do anything.
Either he didn't do it, or he did it to the extreme.
This was his way of doing things.
Just like that, Han Zhao practiced until noon.
Martial Arts: Bone Shrinking Technique (Perfection 40%, Upgradeable), Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (Second Level Entry Level 26%, Upgradeable), Sword Drawing Technique (Entry Level 56%, Upgradeable)
Looking at the cultivation progress on the system interface, Han Zhao smiled.
In the past two months, his Bone Shrinking Technique had taken another big step toward perfection. He did not know if it was because of the effect of the term "Basic Master".
The Mountain Splitting Saber Technique also increased by 21% during this period of time. It was much slower than when he was at the First Level, but this was only the result of comparing it with himself. Later, he would look for Lu Yi and learn the complete content of the Second Level.
As for the Sword Drawing Technique, he had cultivated it to this extent in five days. His progress was very fast.
"The Sword Drawing Technique should be considered a basic cultivation method, right?" Han Zhao thought to himself.
He put away the Frost Saber and went out. It was almost lunchtime. He had not eaten for a long time. He should be very happy to bring Lu Yi good news today.
Thinking of this, he quickened his pace and quickly arrived at the martial arts school.
During the lunch break, many apprentices went home to eat. Those who were rich went to eat together.
"Han Zhao."
"Han, what have you been doing recently?"
"You haven't been here for a long time?"
When they saw Han Zhao, who had not been here for nearly two months, a group of people went forward to greet him. Some of them came because they had a good relationship with him, while others came because of his relationship with Zhao Yuantu.
However, most people chose to ignore it. Other than the fact that they were not familiar with each other, it was also because Han Zhao did not have a good relationship with Zhang Tianwen, a descendant of a large family, so it was better to avoid trouble.
Han Zhao greeted him with a smile and asked if Lu Yi was around before quickly entering the martial arts school.
As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, he saw Xu Ling and Su Yun practicing. Zhang Tianwen was not around.
"Han Zhao, you're finally here." Xu Ling stopped.
"Senior Sister Xu, Senior Sister Su." Han Zhao cupped his fists and said, "I have something to discuss with Master Lu. I'll take my leave first."
With that, he headed straight for the kitchen at the back.
"Huh?" Xu Ling opened her mouth. She was about to ask Han Zhao to eat the haggis soup with her!
Seeing this, Su Yun sighed in her heart.
Her good friend might not only treat Han Zhao as a fellow disciple, but it was hard to say such things. If she said too much, it would seem like she was sowing discord.
However, Han Zhao was too mediocre and not a good match.
In today's world, strength and background ultimately spoke for themselves.
…
"Creak!"
Han Zhao pushed open the kitchen door.
Lu Yi was drinking wine and eating a table full of dishes alone.
Han Zhao looked outside and closed the door tightly. He bowed and said, "Teacher Lu."
"You're willing to come back?" Lu Yi's tone was calm. He picked up a peanut and put it into his mouth. "Have you earned enough money?"
Han Zhao said seriously, "I broke through."
"Yes, you've broken through." Lu Yi nodded. He chewed on the peanuts and raised his glass.
"I broke through to the Bone Tempering Realm," Han Zhao added.
Clang—!
The wine glass in Lu Yi's hand fell on the table, and the wine spilled on his silk clothes. However, he did not care at all. He stood up abruptly, and the bench dragged on the floor with an ear-piercing sound. However, his own voice was louder. "What did you just say?!"
"I felt that I had reached a bottleneck some time ago, so I went out to take on some private work to earn money. Recently, I've eaten more good things. When I woke up this morning to practice my saber techniques, I naturally broke through." Han Zhao walked forward and whispered, "Please keep it a secret for me, Teacher Lu."
When Lu Yi heard this, he suddenly punched out at Han Zhao's chest.
Han Zhao was shocked. He held the scabbard and turned around to block.
Step! Step!
An invisible force was transmitted through the scabbard. Han Zhao took three steps back before stabilizing himself.
Although this power contained a domineering might, it did not cause any substantial damage to him.
Was this Internal Force?
"Teacher Lu, isn't this too much? Why did you ambush me?" Han Zhao smiled and said, "What if I can't take it?"
"Even if you haven't reached the Bone Tempering Realm, this Internal Force can't hurt you. At most, it will hurt your chest for two days." Lu Yi snorted, but the joy on his face could not be concealed. He strode to Han Zhao's side and rolled up his sleeves.
Han Zhao's arm was muscular and red. It was the external manifestation of his full strength after cultivating the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to the Bone Tempering Realm.
"Good! Good! Good!" After confirming again, Lu Yi said "good" three times in a row.
"Teacher Lu, please keep it a secret for me and hide it for a while." Han Zhao cupped his fists.
Lu Yi took a deep look at Han Zhao and scolded jokingly, "You're really very shrewd!"
He understood what Han Zhao meant.
He had broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm in less than a year and a half of saber practice. All the major factions would fight for this talent. If Han Zhao did not handle it well, he might offend some people he could not afford to offend.
However, if he was exposed half a year later, his evaluation would drop from genius to outstanding.
Many large factions would want him, but they would not fight for it.
Although Han Zhao's background is ordinary and his foundation is inferior, his comprehension and temperament are indeed extraordinary. At this moment, Lu Yi, who originally wanted to retire peacefully, had the intention to take in a true disciple.
This was not the kind of apprentice relationship where one had to pay, but the final disciple who would inherit the mantle.
"Don't worry, only the two of us know about this. It's up to you whether you want to tell Yuantu." After pondering for a moment, Lu Yi prepared to observe Han Zhao more.
After all, this was no small matter.
Sometimes, smart people were more realistic and cold-blooded.
"Thank you, Teacher Lu." Han Zhao bowed respectfully.
"Follow me to my room." Lu Yi continued, "With your comprehension, you can come into contact with the basic diagram of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique in advance."
"Alright!"
Chapter 26
Lu Yi brought Han Zhao to his bedroom.
He looked outside and closed the door after confirming that no one was around.
"Before I teach you the second move of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, Stacking Waves, remember the incantation first. Then, I'll teach you the basic diagram."
Lu Yi began to tell Han Zhao the incantation word by word.
Han Zhao listened carefully.
After confirming that Han Zhao had memorized the incantation, Lu Yi took out a folded green paper from the inner lining of his shirt and carefully opened it.
"This is the basic diagram. Calm down and focus on it."
Han Zhao looked over. On the green paper was a pitch-black mountain. At first glance, it looked like a child's scribble. It was just a lump of ink.
[Use your imagination when looking at the color diagram. Disperse your thoughts. Focus on the inside and not the outside. Focus on the mind and not the form!]
A system notification appeared.
Han Zhao calmed down.
He continued to read, and a suppressed viciousness gradually arose in his heart. He had a feeling that he could not help but explode.
[Imagining the state of emptiness, one's heart is as clear as ice, and nothing can shock one.]
Han Zhao realized that the scene was gradually changing. The trees, rocks, and flowers on the mountain peak were clearly visible. A river that circled the mountain was flowing non-stop. He seemed to hear the sound of water flowing and the cries of birds.
His mind gradually calmed down.
After a long time, he came back to his senses.
"This is the first time you're looking directly at the basic diagram. You didn't suffer any negative effects. Not bad." Lu Yi smiled and put away the visualization diagram.
Then, he reached for the saber at Han Zhao's waist.
Clang!
"Remembering the saber technique should be the simplest thing for you. When you look at the basic diagram later, remember to recall the saber technique." Lu Yi took out his saber and explained to Han Zhao.
When he raised the Frost Saber in front of him, he realized that there were two obvious cracks on the blade.
"It seems that it hasn't been easy for you during this period of time. You've already seen blood, right?" Lu Yi looked deeply at Han Zhao and continued, "In the future, come to my place every few days to look at the basic diagram. Don't let others discover it. When you practice your saber, you have to imagine the concept of the basic diagram. You have to remember the thickness of the mountains and the agility of the flowing water. The latter is especially important."
"Yes, Teacher Lu," Han Zhao said seriously.
"By the way, did you see the flowing water when you looked at the basic diagram just now?" Lu Yi suddenly slapped his head.
"Yes," Han Zhao answered truthfully.
"Good, very good!" Lu Yi's face was filled with joy. He was very satisfied with Han Zhao.
Among the disciples he had taught in the past, only a few could see flowing water when observing the basic diagram at the Bone Tempering Realm.
"Kid, let me tell you. Outsiders think that the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique emphasizes explosive power, just like the Mountain Shaking Fist. In fact, the true characteristic of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique is that it's layered. It's like a wave that continues to erupt." Lu Yi continued.
"Continuous explosion?" Han Zhao was stunned.
The martial arts he was currently cultivating erupted instantly. It was the same for the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and the Life Nurturing Technique's true qi.
[It's fast, strong, and lasting. It suits you very well.]
"When you've completely comprehended the basic diagram and imprinted the heavy conception of the mountains into your mind, you'll be able to enter the Blood Tempering Realm. After that, you'll be able to imprint the agile conception of flowing water in your mind. At that time, you'll have a chance to grasp Internal Force. Finally, you'll be able to imagine the conception of the waves in your mind. At that time, you'll reach the Greater Mastery stage of the Mountain Splitting Force," Lu Yi explained.
"Then, Master Lu, have you reached the Greater Mastery stage of the Mountain Splitting Force?" Han Zhao asked curiously.
"No." Lu Yi sighed. "I got close when I was young, but I failed in the end."
Han Zhao could tell that there was a story behind this, but he didn't ask further.
"All the disciples I taught in the past who cultivated the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique stopped at the Bone Tempering Realm. It's not that the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique isn't good, but they can't progress! At least at the Bone Tempering Realm to the Blood Tempering Realm, comprehension is more important than foundation."
Lu Yi felt a little helpless.
Then, he changed the topic. "But you might have the chance."
[Your comprehension isn't good either, but you can charge money.]
"I'll work hard," Han Xiao said.
He thought of the Internal Force that Lu Yi had used to force him back in the kitchen and could not help but ask, "Master Lu, what is Internal Force?"
"Internal Force… It's a little early for you, but since you asked, I'll tell you." Lu Yi pondered for a moment, walked to the square table in the room, and placed his hand on it.
Han Zhao's gaze was fixed on Lu Yi. However, when he gently pressed his palm on the table, it seemed like he did not use any strength at all. The tea set on the table seemed to be pulled by a strong force and was sent flying.
Lu Yi caught it with his hand and held the tea tray.
It's a little like the Internal Force in martial arts dramas, but it's also different. Han Zhao thought to himself. The true qi he was cultivating now was tangible, and the Internal Force Lu Yi used was more like an invisible force.
'Could it be that Internal Force cultivation methods and true qi cultivation methods complement each other?'
Han Zhao suddenly had this thought.
Lu Yi turned around and said, "Do you see that? This is Internal Force."
"What else can it do? Can it be more detailed?" Han Zhao was even more curious.
"No." Lu Yi shook his head. "Internal Force is Internal Force."
With that, Lu Yi added, "Since you've already said Internal Force, I'll tell you the key points of the Blood Tempering Realm."
'You didn't say anything!' Han Zhao was helpless.
"The so-called Blood Tempering Realm, as the name implies, is to strengthen blood qi. If you want to strengthen blood qi, you have to first comprehend the basic diagram, secondly, you have to train at a higher level, and thirdly, you have to eat better food and drink more nourishing medicinal soup.
"This is also the reason why Blood Tempering martial artists are basically either from large factions or rely on large factions. Martial arts burn money!"
Lu Yi said unhurriedly, "Skin Tempering Realm martial artists are stronger than ordinary people, but they are still in the category of ordinary people. Bone Tempering Realm martial artists are slightly better and can be considered experts. They can be the leader of small gangs and are considered middle-level combatants in large factions. However, they can only be considered true martial arts experts when they reach the Blood Tempering Realm. The Blood Tempering Realm is divided into three small levels…"
"Three small levels?" Han Zhao waited curiously for him to continue.
"Breaking through from the Bone Tempering Realm to the Blood Tempering Realm is the first Blood Qi Breakthrough. At that time, your blood qi will increase by one to two times.
It was the same for the second and third Blood Qi Breakthroughs.
The blood qi would be transformed into a specific Blood Imprint according to different cultivation techniques during the breakthrough. This Blood Imprint would be the key to transforming it into Internal Force in the future.
The more Blood Imprints there were, the stronger they were, and the more difficult it would be to break through. However, the Internal Force after the breakthrough would also be stronger.
"Generally speaking, after reaching the second Blood Qi Breakthrough, there is a chance to form an initial stage of Internal Force and then try to grasp Internal Force."
At this point, Lu Yi suddenly sighed.
"Back then, I chose to grasp Internal Force when I was in the second Blood Qi Breakthrough. It's really too late for regrets! The Mountain Splitting Saber Technique is not a top-notch cultivation method after all. Every time my blood qi broke through, it couldn't reach twice the growth. Without the third Blood Qi Breakthrough, it affected me too much in the future!"
"So the more Blood Imprints you have, the stronger you will become after grasping Internal Force. Teacher Lu, why were you in such a hurry to break through?" Han Zhao did not understand. Since Lu Yi could grasp Internal Force, his foundation must be quite good.
"I attained the first Blood Qi Breakthrough at the age of nineteen, and the second at the age of twenty-one. Because I was competing with someone over a woman, I broke through in advance. Back then, I was confident that my foundation was high, so I thought that even if I grasped Internal Force in advance, I could use my talent to replenish my missing blood qi in the future. I didn't expect, sigh~"
Lu Yi sighed again.
[Women will only affect the speed at which you draw your saber and the efficiency at charging money. Except for rich women!]
Han Zhao was silent. He did not expect Lu Yi to have such a past. He had already imagined the scene of Lu Yi losing his sweetheart.
"However, I did marry someone I liked because of this. I even had two daughters with her." Lu Yi changed the topic.
Han Zhao: "…"
"Unfortunately, she was injured in her early years and her injuries recurred. She passed away a few years ago. My youngest daughter has a grudge against me because of this matter. A few years ago, she followed an old friend of mine to the capital, Yuan Chang City."
Lu Yi could not help but sigh.
"Punk, train hard. If you make a name for yourself in the future, I'll marry my youngest daughter to you."
Lu Yi patted Han Zhao's shoulder and started to tempt him.
"Master Lu, I'm only 18 years old," Han Zhao reminded him.
Although what Lu Yi said in the simulation had come true, reality and simulation were not the same things.
Judging from Lu Yi's facial features, he was not ugly when he was young. However, unless his wife was especially beautiful, his daughter might be dragged down by his looks.
Of course, Han Zhao was not a superficial person. He just liked beautiful women with substance.
The most important thing was Lu Yi's age. Even if he had a daughter at the age of 40, she should be in her twenties now.
Lu Yi's expression turned serious. "Yingxuan is only 21 years old. As the saying goes, an older woman makes a better wife! Do you understand? If you can't grasp Internal Force, don't even think about this!"
"Of course." Han Zhao went along with him and took the initiative to change the topic. "Let's talk about the Blood Qi Breakthrough. Since the stronger the Blood Imprint, the stronger it will be after grasping Internal Force, can we practice a few more cultivation methods? Increase the total amount of Blood Imprint?"
"That's true. That's why I even cultivated the Mountain Shaking Force back then. However, the human body has a limit. If I cultivate more, I will be distracted and will even disperse the Blood Imprint, causing the purity of the Blood Imprint of a single cultivation method to be insufficient. If I can't greatly increase the total amount of Blood Imprint, it will increase the difficulty of breaking through."
"Back then, I didn't wait for the third Blood Qi Breakthrough before grasping Internal Force, causing my Mountain Splitting Force and Mountain Shaking Force to be incomplete. It has always been my regret."
"However, it's also thanks to the two Internal Forces that I was able to make a name for myself in Blackrock City. It's not easy to live well in this world."
Lu Yi explained in a deep voice.
Han Zhao strongly agreed with Lu Yi's words.
He would be distracted if he practiced more, but he was not afraid.
He had to work hard first. If he couldn't break through, he would add points.
Since the stronger the cultivation method, the more blood qi one had after breaking through and the stronger the Blood Imprint, it was very necessary to let the Life Nurturing Technique breakthrough first.
This was because breaking through to the Life Nurturing Technique could also increase blood qi.
If the effect of the [Basic Master] Trait could really allow the Life Nurturing Technique to break through the upper limit, he might be able to break through the limits of the human body and go further!
As for cultivating other cultivation methods, it depended on the situation.
If the situation allowed, he could practice the Mountain Shaking Fist together. After all, they were cultivation techniques of the same origin.
However, he could not mention it now. Lu Yi would definitely not agree. He would wait until he broke through to the Life Nurturing Technique.
With this thought in mind, Han Zhao felt that he really needed a lot of blood qi.
"Work hard. I have high hopes for you," Lu Yi said seriously. His words were completely sincere. With Han Zhao's cultivation speed, if he gave him some support, the possibility of breaking through to the Blood Tempering Realm was not small. There was also a slight possibility of grasping Internal Force.
"Yes."
"In the future, you can move freely during the day. Just ensure the intensity of the training. If necessary, come to the martial arts school at night. I'll teach you alone."
"Thank you, Teacher Lu." Han Zhao bowed respectfully.
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Chapter 27
Six months later.
At the city gate of the inner city.
A slightly handsome young man walked out of the city gate. He was dressed in white luxurious clothes and had a tall and slender figure. He held a folding fan in his hand and looked elegant and talented.
However, his face was a little pale, and the dark circles under his eyes were very obvious. His footsteps were weak, and he looked like he had overindulged. His lascivious aura had completely destroyed his temperament.
This person was Zhang Tianwen.
A month ago, his attempt to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm failed and his blood qi was damaged.
Half a month ago, his big brother, Zhang Wu, who cultivated the Overlord Spear, also failed to break through.
However, the family gave Zhang Wu the blood ginseng that they had bought with a lot of money.
In less than ten days, Zhang Wu's depleted blood qi had recovered by more than half, but it would take Zhang Tianwen at least a year to recover his blood qi.
As time passed, the gap between them widened.
Feeling depressed, he was invited by Xu Jin and Fang Hongyun to go to the Drunken Moon Pavilion to drink for three days and completely indulge himself.
"Old fart! In terms of aptitude, I'm not inferior to Zhang Wu at all. Do I have to lower myself to Zhang Wu just because my mother is a concubine?!"
Zhang Tianwen was indignant. He wished that a bolt of lightning would fall from the sky and strike Zhang Wu to death. This way, if the family focused its resources, he would definitely be able to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm.
With such a mood, Zhang Tianwen walked towards the martial arts school. Just as he entered the main street of Yejiang District, he saw three luxuriously decorated carriages driving away one after another. From the looks of it, they were coming from the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy.
"Could it be that one of Su Yun and Xu Ling has broken through?!"
Zhang Tianwen's heart trembled, and his head, which was dizzy from the hangover, instantly sobered up.
"Even if Su Yun has broken through, it must not be Xu Ling!" He actually prayed in his heart. That was because Xu Jin had hinted the day before yesterday that he would think of a way to make Xu Ling marry him. If Xu Ling successfully broke through, then all hope would be lost.
He still wanted to help Xu Ling obtain the family business. This way, he could use the Xu family's resources to increase his chances of breaking through to the Blood Tempering Realm.
Once he broke through to the Blood Tempering Realm, it was not impossible for him to become the head of the Zhang family. With the resources of the two families to support him, there was still hope for him to grasp Internal Force.
Zhang Tianwen walked to the entrance of the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy nervously and saw that there were already two carriages parked at the entrance.
One of the carriages was embroidered with the word 'Zhang'. It was his Zhang family's carriage.
Zhang Tianwen took a deep breath. Just as he stepped onto the steps, he saw a young man in green walking out with two muscular martial artists behind him.
It was his big brother, Zhang Wu.
"Tianwen?" Zhang Wu looked at the pale Zhang Tianwen and frowned slightly. He walked forward. "Tianwen, what's wrong with you? Are you starting to indulge after failing to break through? You're only 21 years old. There are still many opportunities. You can't give up and let Father and me down!"
Seeing Zhang Wu teach him a lesson like an elder brother, Zhang Tianwen felt like vomiting. If he had not obtained the blood ginseng, he would not have had the chance to make sarcastic remarks here.
"Yes, Big Brother." Zhang Tianwen lowered his head, looking regretful. However, he clenched his fists tightly behind his back.
Seeing him like this, Zhang Wu nodded in satisfaction and changed the topic. "By the way, do you know where your junior brother, Han Zhao, lives?"
"I'm not sure. He…" Zhang Tianwen shook his head and suddenly realized that Han Zhao was the one who had broken through.
"As a fellow disciple of Han Zhao, why don't you know anything about him? This morning, Martial Master Lu released the news that Han Zhao had broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm. You actually didn't know?" Zhang Wu pretended to be surprised.
Of course, he knew that his third brother had gone to the Drunken Moon Pavilion to drink for three days. He had even let his servants inadvertently reveal this to his father.
"Han Zhao?!" Zhang Tianwen's eyes widened.
He had also cultivated for two years and three months before breaking through to the Bone Tempering Realm. How could Han Zhao breakthrough in just two years?
"This Junior Brother Han of yours is a talent. With his background, he can break through in two years. If he's willing to join the Zhang family, his future is promising.
"Furthermore, it's said that he has a good relationship with Zhao Yuantu. This Zhao Yuantu is even more extraordinary. Five days ago, he was escorting goods with the Xu family's trading company when he was attacked by a Blood Tempering Realm martial artist."
"He joined forces with another registered elder of the Xu family to severely injure the Blood Tempering Realm expert. This means that the Mountain Shaking Fist is not weak, but there was a problem with the people who practiced it."
"I think the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique is also worthy of its name. It's just that the requirements for aptitude are a little high."
Zhang Wu's tone was vaguely mocking Zhang Tianwen.
'If you can't do it, don't blame the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique.'
"What?! Zhao Yuantu!" Zhang Tianwen exclaimed.
"He's your eldest senior brother. Why don't you know anything about seniority? The Xu family and the Su family have already sent someone to invite Han Zhao. I've already come late." Zhang Wu frowned and berated, "Seriously! You can't even do a small thing? I actually have to ask around myself."
With that, Zhang Wu quickly walked down the steps and sat in the carriage.
"Hurry up and drive! Let's go to Xinqiao District first."
The two accompanying martial artists drove out of Yejiang District.
"Han Zhao!" Zhang Tianwen gritted his teeth. He felt his face burning as if he had been slapped hard.
Zhao Yuantu's lackey, a person that he did not even care about, actually wanted to make a comeback now?
However, he could only suppress the humiliation in his heart.
In the future, when he saw Han Zhao, he would probably have to welcome him with a smile.
He knew Zhang Wu's character very well. He was a lecher who frequented prostitutes, but on the surface, he pretended to be polite and approachable. He could even communicate equally with those bumpkins.
With Zhang Wu's status as the legitimate son of the Zhang family and his disguise, he would definitely pretend to let Han Zhao register with the Zhang family first and rope him in.
Sooner or later, Han Zhao would sign a contract with the Zhang family and work for him.
This was Zhang Wu's usual trick.
If Han Zhao really got lucky and broke through to the Blood Tempering Realm in the future, would the Zhang family still have a foothold for him?
"Ah!" Zhang Tianwen roared and turned to leave.
How could he face Lu Yi in such a state? He should just go home.
He had to endure it!
Sooner or later, these people would pay the price.
…
Xinqiao District.
Han Zhao stood in the middle of the courtyard with his eyes closed.
His posture was upright, like an unsheathed sword.
There was a saber and a sword hanging from his waist, and his right hand was holding the hilt of his sword.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes.
Whoosh!
The sword shot out like a dragon, and a black stream flashed across the courtyard!
It was as if a peerless weapon had been unsheathed.
Han Zhao's entire body was filled with a sharp aura.
"Clang!"
As the sword returned to its sheath, Han Zhao returned to his gentle and elegant image as if everything just now was an illusion.
[This strike is completely unleashed. It's about 1.5 times as powerful as when you use your saber technique with all your might. It's not bad.]
He did not expect to receive a 'not bad' evaluation.
[The proficiency of the Sword and Saber Duo has increased. The Saber Dao Aptitude has increased by five times. The Sword Dao Aptitude has increased by four times.]
Looking at the notification on the system interface, Han Zhao smiled happily. "It's finally upgraded! This 'Sword Accumulation Technique' is indeed extraordinary."
The process of him holding the sword without unsheathing it was to 'sword nurturing', while the unsheathing process was to 'drawing the sword'.
Of course, simply drawing the sword and not releasing the sword qi nurtured in it would only increase his proficiency.
Three months ago, Zhu Kangsheng had finished forging the sword.
Han Zhao named the sword 'Afterlife'.
From the moment he obtained the sword, he began to "nurture" it. Even when he was eating or sleeping, his sword never left his side.
Carrying it with him was a passive sword nurturing.
Just like how he had focused and calmed down just now, he had taken the initiative to nurture the sword nurturing.
The effect of actively nurturing the sword was obvious, but the consumption was greater. Therefore, he would only do it after the cultivation method ended. This way, it would not affect his cultivation progress.
Of course, the result was that his appetite had increased greatly. He had to eat four meals a day and had to eat meat every meal.
However, the power of the Sword Drawing Technique did not disappoint him.
His strongest attack now was to use his nourishing true qi to amplify the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique.
The sword qi nurtured in the Afterlife Sword was equivalent to 1.5 times his full-power attack.
He had only been undergoing sword nurturing for three months.
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Perfection 92%, Upgradeable), Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (Second Level Small Mastery 3%, Upgradeable), Bone Shrinking Technique (Perfection 100%, Can Deduce), Sword Drawing Technique (Perfection 100%, Can Deduce; Special Effect: Concentration Level 1)
"Phew~" Looking at the progress of the martial arts column, Han Zhao let out a long sigh.
He had learned a lot about cultivation from Lu Yi.
No matter how good one's aptitude was, one would still encounter a bottleneck. It was just that it was easier to pass the bottleneck with good aptitude.
If he worked harder, he would be able to complete the Second Level of the Life Nurturing Technique in four months. At that time, he could break through the bottleneck by adding points.
"After I break through the Life Nurturing Technique, I'll hurry up and earn money." Han Zhao thought to himself. As his cultivation progress increased, the consumption of money became greater and greater. He had less than 20 taels of silver left from the 100 taels he had saved previously. He still had to use it sparingly in the next few months.
"The Frost Saber should be reforged. I can go take a look."
Han Zhao returned to his room and put his saber into the secret compartment under the floor tiles under the bed.
This saber was also forged by Zhu Kangsheng. He named it Extraction to deal with ordinary enemies.
However, this saber was the exclusive saber he had prepared for Song Que. He still had to use the Frost Saber usually.
After Zhu Kangsheng finished forging the new saber and sword, he had already sent the chipped Frost Saber to be reforged. Now that a month had passed, it should be about time.
It was all thanks to Zhu Kangsheng. Otherwise, he would have spent at least a hundred taels of silver to buy these two sabers and one sword, not to mention the cost of reforging them in the future.
When the time was right, he would avenge Zhu Kangsheng as soon as possible.
"My thirty catties of black gold is more than six thousand taels of silver!"
Looking at the saber and sword on his waist, Han Zhao sighed and left the house.
Why didn't any rich woman see through his disguise?
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Chapter 28
Not long after Han Zhao left home, the carriages of the Xu, Su, and Zhang families arrived at Xinqiao District.
The leaders of some small and medium-sized sects had already come to visit.
However, both groups of people missed him.
They asked around and found out that Han Zhao had just left the city and could only return in disappointment.
However, the few gangs had left spies nearby and were waiting for Han Zhao to return to the city.
Compared to the large factions that had quasi-Martial Masters in the Blood Tempering Realm, small and medium-sized gangs like them, a Bone Tempering martial artist was the strongest combat power in the gang.
Especially for an 18-year-old Bone Tempering martial artist like Han Zhao, who had only cultivated for two years, he was the target of their competition.
There was no need for Han Zhao to really do anything. As long as he appeared during a gang conflict, many problems would be solved. Most of the time, a bloody battle could be avoided.
Han Zhao only returned to Blackrock City at night.
After he went to Edge Sharpening Manor to retrieve the reforged Frost Saber, he disguised himself and went to the Saber Hunter's stronghold and the Chen family's auction house in Nine Links Town to ask for information about black gold.
In the end, he learned that the Chen family's annual large-scale auction would sometimes sell some precious medicinal herbs and forging materials. Previously, they had auctioned black gold several times in the past few years, and the most they had sold was ten catties of black gold.
After receiving the news, Han Zhao went to Nine Links Mountain to scout for information about the Flying Dragon Stockade.
After asking, they found out that other than collecting money from Edge Sharpening Manor, they had to skin all the nearby towns and villages as long as there were no Blood Tempering martial artists.
The strongest person in the Flying Dragon Stockade was the leader, Qi Xing, who was an expert at the first Blood Qi Breakthrough in the Blood Tempering Realm.
As for the second to fourth-in-charge, they were all at the Bone Tempering Realm.
However, the fourth-in-charge was killed by Han Zhao last time.
As soon as Han Zhao returned home, he met a few gang members from small and medium-sized gangs waiting at their door and invited him in name.
He expressed that he wanted to think about it, so the other party did not disturb him anymore.
…
The next day, Han Zhao woke up early.
He did not practice in the courtyard. Instead, he went out directly, ate breakfast at a nearby stall, and went straight to the martial arts school.
Previously, he had told Lu Yi that he would release the news of his breakthrough in about six to seven months.
Clearly, Lu Yi released the news yesterday.
Now that he had received the news, he naturally could not put on airs. After all, a few large families had invited him.
"The Su family and the Xu family's business is not small. They should have some connections. As for the Zhang family…"
As Han Zhao walked, he thought about where to go.
First of all, the Xu family was certain.
Xu Ling was very kind to him. Previously, he had also promised to prioritize the Xu family after breaking through.
Next was the Su family. The Su family's trading company was even stronger than the Xu family's trading company.
However, although he did not dislike Su Yun, he did not have a good impression of her. They were acquaintances, so it depended on the situation.
Lastly, there was the Zhang family. If they wanted to deal with the Flying Dragon Stockade in the future, they would definitely provoke the Zhang family. The disguise was not omnipotent.
He could go to the Zhang family first and figure out the strength of the few Blood Tempering Realm martial artists in the Zhang family and the cultivation techniques they cultivated.
Only by knowing yourself and your enemy could you win a hundred battles.
As for the top factions with Force Tempering Martial Masters, he would not join any of them.
This was because even if these forces were only in name, they could not easily escape.
After a while, Han Zhao arrived at the entrance of the martial arts school.
Two stone lions more than a meter tall stood at the door. On the plaque on the door were the words "Mountain Shaking Fist Academy".
It was so early, but from the entrance, one could hear shouts coming from the courtyard wall.
"It's been two years since I first came here."
Han Zhao couldn't help but sigh. He had just arrived in this world and stood at the door like a small fry. His current situation was much better than before.
At this moment, Han Zhao suddenly laughed.
This was because he remembered that when he knocked on the door, he saw Zhao Yuantu's dark bald head and the system's almost funny notification.
Han Zhao walked into the martial arts school. The men in the outer courtyard were practicing martial arts. Lu Yi was still lying on a rattan chair in the middle of the front yard and backyard, leisurely munching on melon seeds.
He felt that this old man's greatest hobby was to munch on melon seeds. Looking at the accumulated number of melon seed shells on the ground, he should have been munching for a while.
"Han Zhao."
"Brother Han."
"Senior Brother Han."
Han Zhao walked towards Lu Yi. There were clearly more apprentices greeting him in the courtyard.
He nodded in response and came to Lu Yi's side. "Master Lu."
"You're here." Lu Yi narrowed his eyes and waved at the inner courtyard. "Go in and train for a while. Someone will be looking for you soon."
"Ah, sure thing."
Han Zhao walked into the inner courtyard.
Su Yun and Xu Ling had already started training, while Zhang Tianwen was training alone.
"Junior Brother Han!" Xu Ling's eyes lit up when she saw Han Zhao from the corner of her eye. She abandoned Su Yun and ran over. "Congratulations."
"I was just lucky." Han Zhao smiled and joked, "Looks like you have to give me a raise."
"Of course!" Hearing Han Zhao's answer, Xu Ling smiled and waved her hand in front of him. "How about five taels a month? In addition, if you need any medicinal herbs or precious wild beast meat in the future, our Xu family's trading company can sell it to you at a purchase price. This is a nominal treatment."
"If you're willing to sign a contract with the Xu family's trading company, the allowance will be doubled. Moreover, we can provide you with a portion of demon beast meat that can increase your blood qi every three months."
Han Zhao's expression turned serious. Xu Ling's conditions were not low.
With the strength of a Bone Tempering Realm martial artist, wearing leather armor to protect their vital spots would not be a problem for them to kill a ferocious tiger.
Demonic beasts were foreign beasts that surpassed the upper limit of their race. Their strength far exceeded their own kind. Demonic beast meat was a great supplement for human martial artists.
Just like the meat of the tiger demon that Han Zhao had eaten at the Prosperous Moon Restaurant previously, only three to five quasi-Martial Masters at the Blood Tempering Realm could defeat it.
Ordinary people could not buy these things even if they had money.
At that time, Zhang Tianwen was able to buy the tiger demon meat at the Prosperous Moon Restaurant because of his status as the second son of the Zhang family, not because of money.
If Han Zhao didn't have any attribute points, signing a contract was his only choice in the future.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Xu. I choose to continue in name. If I'm lucky enough to advance further, I'll definitely sign a contract with you." Han Zhao pondered for a moment and made a decision.
Although he had cultivated the Sword Drawing Technique and the upper limit of his strength had increased a little, including the Life Nurturing Technique, they were all trump cards that could not be exposed.
Xu Ling was not in charge of the Xu family's trading company yet. He had signed a contract with the strength of the Bone Tempering Realm, so he could only be considered a vassal of the Xu family.
They might have to follow the caravan out at any time and encounter unnecessary danger.
Only by becoming a Blood Tempering martial artist would he be a partner of the Xu family's trading company.
He knew this very well.
It would not affect his cultivation just because he had a good relationship with Xu Ling.
"Alright then." Xu Ling was a little disappointed. In fact, the conditions for signing the contract were obtained from her father.
Such conditions were already extremely generous for Bone Tempering martial artists. Any more and they would be treated like Blood Tempering martial artists.
'Junior Brother Han looks amiable on the outside, but he's really stubborn on the inside. He wants to rely on himself for everything…' Xu Ling sighed in her heart. She really wanted to help Han Zhao.
[Judging from Xu Ling's expression, your success rate will definitely increase greatly if you propose to marry into her family now!]
Han Zhao chose to ignore the notification.
It was not the time to start a family yet. In a few years, Cloud Prefecture would be in chaos. If he brought his family along, he would not be able to run peacefully.
At the very least, he had to become a Force Tempering Martial Master before considering marriage.
"Junior Brother… Han, congratulations." Zhang Tianwen walked forward with a forced smile.
"Senior Brother Zhang is very considerate." Han Zhao cupped his hands.
"Junior Brother Han, Eldest Brother asked me to invite you to the Zhang family in name." Zhang Tianwen's smile did not fade. Yesterday, he was first disgusted by Zhang Wu, then scolded by his father. Now, he had to invite Han Zhao. He was really aggrieved, but he had no choice but to smile.
"In that case, thank you for your kindness. Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang." Han Zhao smiled and nodded.
With the Zhang family's money, it would be a good thing to deal with the Zhang family in the future.
"…" Zhang Tianwen was stunned.
He was already prepared for Han Zhao's rejection. Then, he would go back and add fuel to the fire and let Zhang Wu deal with Han Zhao.
Now that Han Zhao suddenly agreed, he was caught off guard.
It was as if he had hit cotton with all his might. He almost couldn't breathe.
"Senior Brother Zhang?" Han Zhao tilted her head and looked at him.
"Ah? Oh, oh!" Zhang Tianwen reacted and hurriedly said, "I'll go back and tell Big Brother now."
With that, Zhang Tianwen cupped his hands and left quickly.
If he stayed here any longer, he would probably go crazy.
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Chapter 29
Su Yun could not help but sigh when she saw the high-spirited Zhang Tianwen being defeated.
Who would have thought that Han Zhao would break through so quickly?
In the beginning, Han Zhao was only valued by Master Lu because of his comprehension of saber techniques. Later on, he used facts to prove that his foundation was not good. It was useless even if his comprehension was high. Master Lu was not as concerned about him as before.
Back then, among the few of them, the person who cultivated the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique the slowest to reach the Skin Tempering Realm was Li Fei, but it had only been twenty days.
It took Han Zhao three months.
Unexpectedly, his cultivation speed increased as he progressed.
'Is that reasonable?'
Previously, when he didn't come to the martial arts school, they all thought that Han Zhao had given up.
Later on, when she heard that he was going to earn money, she even laughed at him for coming from an ordinary background. His foundation was low, but he was inexplicably arrogant.
From the looks of it, they were too narrow-minded.
The one with the most foresight was actually Xu Ling, whom she had previously thought to be naive.
"Congratulations, Junior Martial Brother Han." Su Yun walked forward.
"Senior Sister Su is too polite." Han Zhao nodded.
Su Yun was a little unhappy with Han Zhao's reaction.
Originally, she had planned to invite Han Zhao to register at the Su family's company, but from the looks of it, she decided not to.
Even if it was an expert in the Blood Tempering Realm, there were four of them in her family. All of them were polite to her.
As the only daughter, no one could threaten her status.
In any case, Han Zhao was only a Bone Tempering martial artist, not a quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm. The Su family did not lack him.
…
Han Zhao stayed in the martial arts school for the entire morning. After seeing a few batches of people, he finally had some free time.
After learning from Xu Ling that Zhao Yuantu was slightly injured, he went to the inner city to visit him.
After Zhao Yuantu became the registered elder of the Xu family, the Xu family gave him a courtyard at the edge of the Yonghe District.
Every inch of land in the inner city could be said to be worth its weight in gold. The Xu family had really invested a lot. From this, one could see the strength and status of a quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm.
"A heretic Blood Tempering Realm martial artist is sucking human blood?!"
Han Zhao arrived at Zhao Yuantu's residence and heard from him about the attack on the caravan.
"The other party is good at palm techniques. His martial arts path is very strange. In battle, many Bone Tempering Realm martial artists were inexplicably poisoned and lost the ability to resist.
The other registered elder and I were also hit. At that time, we felt our bodies go numb.
"If we hadn't bought the black gold gloves through the Xu family and used poison-resistant medicine, we wouldn't have been able to win."
Zhao Yuantu lay on the bed and said with lingering fear.
"Is that so?" Han Zhao nodded and fell into deep thought.
"Although he was severely injured, he still escaped. However, we've already informed the county office and the county magistrate has issued a wanted order. There should be Blood Tempering martial artists chasing after him." Zhao Yuantu's tone was uncertain. The county office might just be a formality.
Under normal circumstances, Blood Tempering Realm martial artists were not willing to fight martial artists of the same level because injuries would affect the accumulation of the Blood Imprint and reduce the chances of grasping Internal Force.
If not for the other party forcing him, he would not have risked his life and caused his blood qi to be damaged.
"Eldest Senior Brother, have a good rest first. I won't disturb you anymore." Han Zhao saw that Zhao Yuantu's face was a little pale and felt that he had no clue, so he decided to leave.
"Yes, I heard that you broke through. I didn't have the time to congratulate you. When I recover, I'll definitely let you treat me." Zhao Yuantu smiled.
"That's not a problem. What about the Splendid Cloud Pavilion?" Han Zhao raised his thumb.
"Alright! I won't stand on ceremony with you."
"Alright, I'll be leaving then."
Han Zhao stood up.
When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, your house is too deserted. There's no one to take care of you. It's time to consider starting a family, right?"
"I'll get married after I recover." Zhao Yuantu scratched his head with a blissful smile on his face.
It seems that he already has someone in mind… Han Zhao smiled and walked out of the courtyard.
…
Han Zhao went out of the city before returning home.
He disguised himself as Song Que and rushed to the Saber Hunter stronghold at the foot of Black Wind Mountain. From there, he obtained information about the heretic Blood Tempering expert.
Wanted Warrant: Blood Tempering expert from the heretic sect. First Qi Blood Breakthrough level. He is severely injured. His origin is unknown. He is good at palm techniques and poison. Reward: 500 taels of silver.
Looking at the information on the wanted poster, Han Zhao was tempted.
A heavily injured Blood Tempering Realm expert had a high chance of winning if he used all his methods.
However, he planned to simulate the results first. If it was too risky, then forget it.
Therefore, he used the remaining silver to exchange for two taels of gold and returned home.
"System, charge."
[Current Balance: 3 taels of gold]
[Collected 30 Notification Fragments. Do you want to synthesize a Trait?]
[This will consume 20 Notification Fragments, 3 taels of gold…]
"Synthesize. Beginning simulation."
[18 years old. You broke through to the Bone Tempering Realm and accepted Zhu Kangsheng's request. You agreed to kill Qi Xing for him after breaking through.]
[You received invitations from various forces and agreed to register your name with the Xu family and the Zhang family.]
[You learned from Zhao Yuantu that a heretic Blood Tempering Realm expert was severely injured by him and the registered elder of the Xu family and fled to the vicinity of Blackrock City. You searched everywhere but to no avail.]
[19 years old. Your Life Nurturing Technique reached the Second Level. You encountered a bottleneck.]
[21 years old. Your Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the Third Level. Your Mountain Splitting Saber Technique reached the Perfection stage of the Bone Tempering Realm.]
[You decided to fulfill your promise and help Zhu Kangsheng kill Qi Xing. After camping, you ambushed Qi Xing halfway and severely injured him.]
[Just as you were about to kill Qi Xing, an expert at the third level of the Blood Tempering Realm suddenly joined.]
[The other party used a very strange martial art. During the battle, you were poisoned without any warning. Your body began to feel numb and weak, and your blood qi stagnated. After you killed Qi Xing with a slash, you collapsed to the ground.]
[An expert at the third Blood Qi Breakthrough expressed that he wanted to suck all the blood in your body dry. While he was relaxed and was approaching you, you used the Sword Drawing Technique to severely injure him.]
[The other party begged for mercy and wanted to detoxify you. At the same time, he gave you his cultivation technique, Blood Spirit Policy, and told you that this cultivation technique could allow you to grasp Internal Force within three years. The other party relied on this cultivation technique to advance from the first Blood Qi Breakthrough to the third Blood Qi Breakthrough stage in three years.]
[You didn't listen and killed the other party. You found the Blood Spirit Policy from the other party but didn't find the antidote. You immediately circulated the Life Nurturing Technique to detoxify the poison.]
[Halfway through your detoxification, a large group of people from the Flying Dragon Stockade arrived. Your stamina and true qi were exhausted, and you were surrounded and killed by everyone.]
"That heretic Blood Tempering martial artist actually got together with the Flying Dragon Stockade?!" Han Zhao frowned slightly.
In the simulation, he was really miserable. There was no system, nor was there any Trait enhancement. He had only broken through at the age of 21 with the Life Nurturing Technique.
As expected, the further one progressed, the harder it was to break through the bottleneck.
Fortunately, he could add points.
[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]
[1: Obtain Trait (Not Selectable)]
[2: Obtained attribute points]
[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]
[Current Balance: 0]
"Since that heretic expert is a problem, we can only solve the problem." Han Zhao was prepared to strike first.
That heretic expert was currently severely injured and might need to suck blood to recover from his injuries. Since he had gotten together with the Flying Dragon Stockade, he might be with them now.
Since the other party would come out to disrupt the situation in the future, Han Zhao might as well kill him first.
Due to the Blood Qi Breakthrough, Blood Tempering Realm experts had already exceeded the limits of ordinary people. Ordinary poisons were useless.
In the simulation, he had cultivated the Life Nurturing Technique to the Third Level, but the other party could poison him silently. This meant that the poison he used was very brilliant, and the poison he mastered was extraordinary.
"Two." Han Zhao didn't hesitate at all.
[Attribute Points 3]
Chapter 30
"As expected, after breaking through with external skills, the attribute points obtained increased too."
Han Zhao's eyes lit up and he focused his attention on the martial arts section.
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Perfection 92%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 4, Lifespan Extension 10 years)
"Upgrade the Life Nurturing Technique," Han Zhao muttered.
His attribute points dropped from 3 to 2, and the progress of the Life Nurturing Technique also increased to Perfection 100% of the Second Level.
However, when his attributes were depleted by another 1 point, the progress did not change.
"Is this the bottleneck?" Han Zhao raised his eyebrows. "More!"
The last attribute point returned to zero, and the martial arts column became blurry.
Han Zhao's body also changed.
However, it was not as painful as the last time. He felt very comfortable all over his body, and the blood qi in his body surged violently. It rapidly strengthened at a speed that could be sensed, and his muscles became stronger, and his bones became stronger.
Now, the strength of his single arm had probably exceeded 500 catties.
It was equivalent to breaking through the first bottleneck for external cultivation martial artists from the Bone Tempering Realm to the Blood Tempering Realm.
At this moment, the martial arts column gradually became clearer.
Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Third Level Entry Level 10%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 5, Life Extension 60 years)
[The new Life Nurturing Technique has already deviated from its original path and become your exclusive cultivation technique. Not bad.]
Looking at the martial arts column and the system notification, Han Zhao was stunned for a moment and could not help but sigh.
"As expected, as a mature cultivation technique, it has to learn to break through on its own."
This breakthrough directly made the Life Nurturing Technique exceed the upper limit of the cultivation method! It instantly increased his lifespan by 50 years.
The [Basic Master] Trait was indeed powerful.
When a martial artist broke through from the Bone Tempering Realm to the Blood Tempering Realm, their lifespan would increase by 20 years.
Whether it was the second Blood Qi Breakthrough or the third Blood Qi Breakthrough, it would not increase one's lifespan.
Only by breaking through to the Force Tempering Realm would his lifespan increase by another 20 years.
This breakthrough increased his lifespan by 50 years, surpassing the two major realms of Blood Tempering and Force Tempering for ordinary martial artists.
The increase in lifespan represented the extension of a martial artist's blood qi at its peak.
A Blood Tempering martial artist would only pass the peak stage of blood qi after reaching 40 years old, while a Force Tempering martial artist would only pass the peak stage after reaching 60 years old.
The blood qi peak was the best stage for a martial artist to break through. It was also the peak of their combat strength.
"In theory, my blood qi peak has been extended by 60 years? I'm afraid this can't continue to be called the Life Nurturing Technique, right?" Han Zhao's eyes widened.
The powerful effect of the [Basic Master] Trait finally appeared. The special effect of the Life Nurturing Technique gradually became ridiculous!
Originally, he still had doubts about dealing with that heretic Blood Tempering martial artist. Now, he felt that he was almost certain.
As long as he made some more preparations, the success rate would be at least 98%.
It was worth the risk.
In the simulation just now, he did not have the additional effect of the [Basic Master] Trait.
The effects of the simulated Third Level Life Nurturing Technique were vastly different.
Although Han Zhao's sword nurturing only lasted about three months in reality and there was no simulation of the two-year sword nurturing process, the power of the Sword Drawing Technique would definitely be much inferior. Now, the Life Nurturing Technique had become stronger.
That heretic Blood Tempering expert was not at the third Blood Qi Breakthrough level in the simulation but at the first breakthrough.
Moreover, the other party was seriously injured. Now was the best time to attack.
"Prepare some powerful antidote first, then investigate."
Han Zhao immediately went out to find Xu Ling.
Medicines that could detoxify Blood Tempering Realm experts were definitely in high demand. Even if one had money, it was difficult to buy them without connections.
The Xu family's trading company was popular in Blackrock City, second only to the Su family's trading company.
If he were to look for Xu Ling, she would definitely be willing to help.
…
In the inner city.
Han Zhao went to Xu Ling's house and told her why he was there.
"You want to buy some antidote that can be effective on Blood Tempering martial artists?"
Xu Ling was stunned.
Being able to take effect on Blood Tempering Realm martial artists meant that they had to deal with Blood Tempering Realm martial artists who were good at using poison.
What was Junior Brother Han trying to do?
"Yes," Han Zhao said seriously.
Xu Ling frowned slightly. "Junior Martial Brother Han, any antidote that can meet your requirements is priceless. The moment it appears, it will be sold out."
"Previously, the Xu family's trading company encountered a heretic Blood Tempering martial artist. Eldest Senior Brother and another registered elder relied on the antidote to resist the other party's poison path methods and were able to severely injure the other party. However, we have already used up the antidote. Now, the Xu family's trading company has already… Wait!"
Xu Ling seemed to have thought of something and suddenly reacted. She looked at Han Zhao in surprise.
"Junior Brother Han, don't tell me you want to buy the antidote and deal with that heretic Blood Tempering martial artist? Even if the other party is seriously injured, dealing with three to five Bone Tempering martial artists is not a problem. Don't be rash!"
"Senior Sister Xu, don't worry. I have a clearer understanding of myself. I won't act on impulse." Han Zhao laughed.
"I'm asking for it on behalf of someone else, but it's not convenient for me to reveal who that person is and his specific use. I'm really sorry."
When Xu Ling heard this, she heaved a sigh of relief and said, "This… I can't guarantee that I'll be able to buy it. I can only do my best."
As she spoke, Xu Ling added, "There are many types of poison-resistant medicines, but they are all different in weight. Do you need those that are targeted at specific poisons, or do they have a poison-resistant effect on most poisons? The former is very weak against non-specific poisons, while the latter requires a buffer period."
Han Zhao said, "I only know that that poison will paralyze the body and stagnate the blood qi."
"Looks like the person who asked you to help really has to deal with that heretic Blood Tempering martial artist."
Xu Ling stared at Han Zhao with a burning gaze.
Han Zhao smiled but didn't say anything.
"Alright, I won't ask anymore." Xu Ling nodded. "However, the price of this antidote is very high. Even if it can only last for about ten breaths, it will still cost more than a hundred taels of silver."
"Can I make an advance payment to the Xu family in name? Or I can owe it first. I'll definitely pay it back within three months!" Han Zhao was a little embarrassed. He only had a few taels of silver left on him and couldn't even pay the deposit.
However, the fees of the various factions added up to ten taels a month.
Even if he really couldn't find that heretic Blood Tempering martial artist, it shouldn't be a problem for him to earn 100 taels of silver in the next three months.
If he could kill that heretic Blood Tempering martial artist and receive a bounty of 500 taels of silver, he would be able to return the money immediately.
"Junior Martial Brother Han, this is a special treatment for you~" Xu Ling blinked her eyes and angrily said, "If someone else were to say this to me, I really want to ask him where he got his guts from."
"Thank you, Senior Sister Xu!" Han Zhao smiled.
"I'll ask Su Yun for help. The Su family's trading company has connections in the field of medicinal herbs. They should be able to buy the antidote you need as soon as possible." Xu Ling waved her hand, indicating that there was no need for him to do this. Then, she stood up.
"I'll go now."
She didn't doubt Han Zhao's words. Someone probably wanted to deal with that heretic Blood Tempering martial artist and asked Junior Brother Han for help.
As for Junior Brother Han taking the risk to deal with a Blood Tempering martial artist, she thought about it and threw it to the back of her mind.
It was unrealistic.
With that, Xu Ling left the courtyard and headed for the Su family's residence.
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Chapter 31
The Su family's trading company was the largest trading company in the entire Blackrock City. Although it did not have a Force Tempering Martial Master overseeing it, it had four Blood Tempering Realm martial artists under its command.
More importantly, it was rumored that the Su family of Blackrock City was a branch of the Su family of Yuan Chang County. This was the reason why very few factions dared to provoke the Su family's trading company.
Su Yun was the only daughter of the Su family. She had a large courtyard in the Yonghe District in the inner city.
When Xu Ling found Su Yun, she was at the pavilion in the middle of the lake behind the house.
Su Yun leaned against the wooden railing and watched the fish. From time to time, she would throw fish food into the lake, causing the koi fish in the lake to gather and fight for food.
"Su Yun." Xu Ling quickly stepped forward.
"Xu Ling, why are you in the mood to look for me today? What's the matter?" Su Yun sized Xu Ling up with a smile.
Every time she went to look for Xu Ling, she would basically be practicing martial arts in the courtyard. It was rare for her to take the initiative to look for her today.
However, Xu Ling was wearing a training suit and did not look like she was there to play with her.
"There is indeed something." Xu Ling did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. "I want to ask you for help to buy poison-resistant medicine. The requirement is…"
Xu Ling described the specific requirements in detail.
"You want this medicine to deal with the Blood Tempering martial artist who attacked the Xu family's caravan?" Su Yun asked in confusion.
"Yes." Xu Ling nodded and didn't say that Han Zhao needed it.
"That's not right. The amount you need is too little. This doesn't seem to be prepared for many Blood Tempering martial artists. Could it be that the Xu family is confident that they can dispatch only one Blood Tempering martial artist to deal with the enemy in more than ten breaths?" Su Yun frowned slightly and discovered the loophole in Xu Ling's words.
Even when dealing with an injured Blood Tempering Realm martial artist, it was best to mobilize many martial artists of the same level to encircle and annihilate him.
This would maximize the number of casualties.
Of course, if he could launch a sneak attack, it would be another story.
"If you don't make it clear, I won't help you!" Su Yun stared at Xu Ling's face.
"Alright, I'll tell you the truth." Xu Ling looked helpless. "Actually, Junior Martial Brother Han needs my help. He asked me for help because…"
After listening to Xu Ling's explanation, Su Yun snorted, "Since that's the case, why didn't he come to me himself? He only knows how to take advantage of you!"
"Su Yun, you can't say that. We're all from the same sect. It's only right for us to help each other," Xu Ling retorted.
Su Yun looked at Xu Ling with a faint smile, making her blush.
"Are you going to help me or not?" Xu Ling was annoyed.
"Of course, I'll help you!" Su Yun smiled and immediately changed the topic. "However, if you want it, I can give you the cost price. One hundred taels. If Junior Brother Han wants it, then you have to follow the market price. Two hundred taels, not even one less copper coin!"
"Why are you like this?" Xu Ling glared at her and said bitterly, "Two hundred taels it is. I just didn't expect you to even earn my money."
"I'm scared of you. Why are you so anxious just because I'm joking? Don't tell me you want to make up the difference yourself?" Su Yun looked helpless and said angrily, "The cost price is fine. You can come and collect the goods in ten days."
"Thank you." Xu Ling smiled sweetly, revealing two shallow dimples on her cheeks.
"Xu Ling…"
"Hmm?"
"I don't think Junior Brother Han is a good match. You…" Su Yun wanted to say something but hesitated. After spending two years together, she truly treated Xu Ling as a good friend, so she didn't want to see her being deceived.
"I'm going to get angry if you keep spouting nonsense!" Xu Ling rebuked, her ears turning red.
"Alright, alright, alright. Let's not talk about it anymore. Come and try this Hundred Flowers Wine! It's sent from the prefecture capital. A pot is worth ten gold coins."
When Su Yun saw this, she sighed in her mind and didn't say anything else.
…
Ten days later, Xu Ling's servant rushed to Xinqiao District to inform Han Zhao.
Han Zhao immediately went to Xu Ling.
"Is this the antidote?" Han Zhao held a palm-sized porcelain bottle in his hand. He opened it and saw a thin layer of white powder at the bottom of the bottle. A foul smell wafted out. Just by smelling it, he felt his body heat up slightly.
"This is the Breeze Powder. It's specially used to resist the kind of poison that causes one's body to be numb and their blood qi to stagnate," Xu Ling explained.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Xu." Han Zhao cupped his fists.
"If the dosage of the poison isn't large, you can detoxify it by smelling it. If the dosage is large enough to poison a Blood Tempering Realm martial artist, you need to suck in all the powder at the bottom of the bottle into your nose. If you inhale it all, it can last for about twenty breaths," Xu Ling added.
"I'll remember that!" Han Zhao said seriously.
One breath was equivalent to three seconds. Twenty breaths were 60 seconds.
If he had launched a sneak attack at close range, he might have been able to finish off the enemy in one breath. In short, it would have taken less than ten breaths.
In the past ten days, he had been investigating the situation near Nine Links Mountain and had already found some clues. He was just waiting for Xu Ling to obtain the antidote.
Now it was time to move.
There was a high chance that the heretic Blood Tempering martial artist was hiding in the Flying Dragon Stockade. If he could not end the battle quickly, he had to escape immediately.
The leader of the Flying Dragon Stockade, Qi Xing, was an expert who had broken through to the first Blood Qi Breakthrough of the Blood Tempering Realm.
Moreover, there were more than a hundred strong bandits in the village.
If he was surrounded, he would be in trouble too.
"I'll return the two hundred taels of silver as soon as possible. I'll have to trouble Senior Sister Xu this time." Han Zhao cupped his fists and bowed. "I still have something on, so I'll take my leave first."
He had already understood the market.
This level of antidote would cost at least 200 taels of silver. He did not want Xu Ling to suffer a loss.
As for the favors he owed, it would not be too late when he became stronger.
"Junior Martial Brother Han…" Xu Ling's lips quivered.
She knew that Junior Martial Brother Han had strong self-esteem, so she couldn't say anything else. She could only watch him leave.
…
Nine Links Mountain.
The moon was covered by black clouds, and only a faint halo of light shone from behind the thick clouds. There was only a winding path in the dense forest that led somewhere. The wind swayed on the tops of the tall trees, making a rustling sound.
A tall and straight-masked man in black blended perfectly into the night and gradually entered the depths of the forest.
"Howl~" A wolf howl came from somewhere.
After Han Zhao entered the depths of the forest, the annoying summer cicadas stopped chirping.
Flames appeared in the distance, and the outline of a village came into view.
He climbed to the top of the tree and looked into the distance.
As his Life Nurturing Technique broke through again, his five senses became much sharper, far exceeding that of ordinary people.
He circled around the village and found that the north side of the Flying Dragon Stockade was backed by a cliff. Only the east, west, and south could let him pass through.
There were lookout posts at all three entrances, and someone took turns guarding them.
He waited patiently at the southern entrance for three hours. Finally, there was a gap between the shifts.
Swoosh!
Han Zhao circulated his true qi under his feet. His entire body was like an agile cheetah as his figure moved around in various blind spots. He took advantage of the moment when the bandits climbed onto the observation deck to sneak into the stockade.
With his speed comparable to a Blood Tempering martial artist, these martial artists, who were at most at the Skin Tempering Realm, could not discover his traces at all.
Although it was called a village, the houses were arranged in an orderly manner, and the streets were neatly planned. It was a rather impressive village. It was difficult to imagine that this was a bandit's nest.
After entering the village, Han Zhao was not in a hurry to take action. Instead, he hid in the shadows.
He was shocked when he heard the sound of well-proportioned breathing coming from the corner of the street.
"Good lord, there are even hidden sentries. How cautious!"
Not only was there a watchtower around the stronghold, but there were also hidden sentries guarding the stronghold.
Indeed, they had done too many guilty things!
With this move alone, even if an ordinary Blood Tempering martial artist successfully infiltrated the village, they would still be discovered by the secret sentries.
However, he was not an ordinary person.
These hidden sentries were all exposed to his powerful five senses.
He only needed to rely on his hearing to determine the approximate location of the hidden sentries nearby and then quietly avoid them.
Han Zhao circled the interior of the stockade again and understood the plan inside clearly. She calculated the route to escape.
Soon, Han Zhao snuck into the largest house behind the mountain stronghold and caught a bandit on night duty at the back door.
He grabbed the other party's neck with one hand and pinched his pulse with the other. He stimulated the other party with his true qi, paralyzing his body and making him unable to resist.
"Speak! Did an expert come to Flying Dragon Stockade recently and was seriously injured?" Han Zhao said in a low voice.
The bandit's face was filled with fear. His mouth kept opening and closing, but he could not make a sound.
"If yes, open your mouth. If no, close your mouth," Han Zhao asked.
The bandit opened his mouth wide as if he was using all his strength.
"Very good! As long as you cooperate well, I, Song Que, can spare your life." Han Zhao nodded and asked, "Where is the other party now? Tell me his exact location. I'll let go of you now. If you dare to make a sound, my fingers will immediately stab into your throat. Do you understand?"
As he spoke, Han Zhao's right hand turned into a sword finger and pressed against the bandit's throat. However, his left hand was still pinching the bandit's pulse. Even if the bandit wanted to scream, he did not have the strength.
"That person… is… in the… west wing of the backyard," the bandit said with difficulty. His trembling hand pointed to the left. His voice was so soft that only he could hear it clearly.
However, with Han Zhao's current hearing, he could hear everything clearly.
"I'll knock you out first and then go to the west wing to check. If you're lying to me, this will be the last sleep of your life." Han Zhao lowered his voice. "I'll ask you one last time. Are you lying to me? If not, open your mouth!"
The bandit opened his mouth wide.
"Very good." Han Zhao struck the bandit's neck heavily with his hand and broke his neck while he was unconscious.
"I'm sorry. Song Que broke his promise. It has nothing to do with me." Han Zhao sighed inwardly.
He had investigated Flying Dragon Stockade. When these bandits robbed the road, they usually killed all the men, leaving only the women.
Therefore, there was no need to interrogate the bandits when they were captured. They would be beheaded directly. There would not be anyone wronged.
Han Zhao hid the corpse in the shadows in the corner and rushed to the west wing on the left.
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Chapter 32
Han Zhao quickly found the west wing.
His figure was like an agile black cat as he silently passed through the roof, easily avoiding the surrounding bandits.
With the enhanced hearing of the Life Nurturing Technique, Han Zhao heard a voice in the west wing.
Han Zhao was speechless.
"You're still so energetic despite being injured?!"
He waited patiently. Now was not the best time to strike.
Two women walked out of the room. One of them was still dressed as a heroine with a long sword at her waist.
Han Zhao circulated his true qi to strengthen his hearing and discovered that the other party's heartbeat was a little irregular and her breathing was chaotic.
This was a sign that her blood qi had been greatly damaged, she was indeed heavily injured.
"Could it be a supplementary cultivation method?" Han Zhao thought to himself.
Alcoholism and indulgence were taboo for martial artists, especially when they were injured.
The other party shouldn't be so stupid. Clearly, she had practiced the same evil technique as Kuai Wei, who he had killed back then.
Got it!
Han Zhao suddenly came up with a plan.
After all, this was his first time facing a Blood Tempering martial artist. Even if the other party was seriously injured, he did not know if they had hidden a trump card.
Now that he was in the dark and the enemy was in the light, he could take advantage of this.
Thinking of this, Han Zhao waited for the two girls to leave the courtyard and quietly followed behind them. Then, he hid behind a rockery and waited quietly.
A few minutes later, a woman in coarse linen clothes slowly walked over.
Judging from her steps and her breathing, she was clearly an ordinary person without any martial arts foundation.
When she passed by the rockery, Han Zhao suddenly jumped out, covered her mouth, and dragged her behind the rockery.
He grabbed the woman's pulse and whispered, "If you don't make a sound, I won't kill you. Do you understand?"
In order to prevent a wrong kill, he had to go through the process.
The woman in the sackcloth nodded repeatedly.
"Where are you from? Why are you at the Flying Dragon Stockade?" Han Zhao asked in a low voice and placed his hand on the woman's throat.
The woman was originally terrified, but when she looked at the masked man's eyes that were as bright as the sea of stars and heard his hoarse and low voice, she suddenly calmed down a lot. She whispered, "I was originally from Chu Country. Because of the drought and plague, my family died. Later, I fled here and was captured by the Flying Dragon Stockade…"
Han Zhao frowned slightly. From the woman's words, she seemed to be from a scholarly family and indeed seemed to have been abducted. He said, "Do me a favor and I'll bring you out of this place. How about that?"
"I'm willing to help you get rid of the thieves, but I'm afraid I'll be a burden to you. After this is done, you should leave on your own." The woman in linen clothes was a little tempted, but in the end, she shook her head.
Han Zhao was stunned and fell silent. After a while, he said, "In that case, one day, when I destroy the Flying Dragon Stockade, I'll save you and the others."
"Thank you, Young Hero," the woman in sackcloth said.
"I'm sorry." Han Zhao nodded and knocked the woman out with a hand chop. Then, he took off her coat and changed out of his night clothes.
Crack, crack!
With a slight sound of bones rubbing against each other, Han Zhao's 1.7-meter-tall body gradually shortened to about 1.6-meter-tall.
His original facial features were also changing. In the end, he was about 60 to 70% similar to the woman in linen clothes, but his appearance was more gentle and more beautiful.
He took off his Extraction Saber and hid it behind the rockery.
Then, he crumpled the night suit into a ball and stuffed it into his chest.
"Ahem…" Han Zhao choked.
[If you dress as a woman, there should be a market for you. It's a good way to earn money.]
The system notification appeared at the wrong time.
Han Zhao rolled his eyes and sashayed out of the rockery towards the west wing.
When he was about to reach the door, he picked up some of the Breeze Powder powder that he had prepared and stuffed it deep into his nostrils. As long as he breathed hard, he would be able to breathe the Breeze Powder into his nose.
He had just reached the door of the main room when an impatient voice came from inside the room.
"Why are you so slow? Come in quickly!"
"Yes, sir~" Han Zhao's gentle voice sounded as she gently pushed open the door.
A young man in black was leaning against the bed. He had a dignified appearance, but the lewdness between his brows ruined his overall temperament.
"Oh? A heroine chef? Quite creative!" The young man was stunned. He sized up Han Zhao's figure and looked at her coquettish expression. It was obvious that she was not a good woman. He smiled and said, "Are you new? Or are you the courtesan of the Drunken Moon Pavilion?"
"I am Hongxiu." Han Zhao curtsied.
The young man hooked his finger at 'her' and patted the bed. "Hurry up and come up."
[The other party looks anxious, but he's actually wary of you.]
The system notification appeared. Han Zhao noticed that the young man's gaze had stopped on the sword at his waist.
He walked forward and unbuckled the sword at his waist. Holding the hilt, he stabbed at the young man's chest and said in a coquettish voice, "Pervert, face my sword!"
The young man was shocked. He realized that Han Zhao's saber was sheathed. His movements were light and soft.
The corners of his mouth curled up. He reached out and grabbed the bottom of the scabbard. He laughed evilly. "Sabers are used to cut people. Swords and spears are used to stab! Let me teach you how to use swords first, then let you recognize spears!"
As he spoke, the young man pulled the saber out of the scabbard and tried to snatch it from Han Zhao's hand.
Whoosh!
A clear sword cry sounded. The terrifying sense of danger made the young man's hair stand on end, but it was already too late.
A black light flashed in front of him.
Gulp~
The young man's head rolled onto the bed, and he stopped holding the scabbard in his hand.
"Huh? Where's my head?!" Looking at the headless body leaning against the bed, the young man suddenly widened his eyes in disbelief.
In the next second, Han Zhao's sword pierced through his glabella. The sword turned and completely destroyed his consciousness.
"Is this the vitality of a Blood Tempering martial artist?!" Han Zhao looked surprised as he sheathed his sword.
He did not expect that even after being beheaded, the other party did not die immediately. He actually still had consciousness.
If he hadn't reacted quickly, it would have been troublesome if the other party screamed.
This time, in order to save the sword qi nurtured in the Afterlife Sword, he even wore female clothes.
It was a close call after all.
"Hmm?"
"There's poison in the blood?!"
The pungent smell of blood lingered at the tip of his nose, making Han Zhao suddenly feel dizzy and his body numb.
He hurriedly inhaled the Breeze Powder into his nose, and a foul smell immediately rushed to the top of his head.
Immediately after, a cooling aura appeared. His consciousness quickly recovered, and his body no longer felt numb.
He skillfully took out a black cloth and wrapped the young man's head in a few more layers. Then, he began to search the corpse.
Blood Spirit Policy, Hundred Poison Palm, and the Luan Phoenix Harmony Technique.
Han Zhao glanced at it and kept the secret manual and banknotes.
Then, he searched the room to see if there was anything else good. In the end, he found a half-meter-tall iron cage in a corner against the wall. There was a colorful bird locked inside.
The bird's head and nape were dark brown. Its body feathers were brownish-yellow with various stripes. The feathers on its entire body contrasted with each other. It was red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple. It was very eye-catching.
At this moment, the bird was lying motionless in the cage. It was unknown if it was dead or alive.
"What bird is this?!"
Han Zhao was stunned.
A system notification appeared.
[65% probability of being an unknown bird demon; 34% probability of being a red-bellied rooster; 1% probability of being a descendant of a phoenix with a thin bloodline. After nurturing it for 10,000 years, there's a chance of its bloodline returning to its ancestral roots and turning into a spirit beast.]
"Phoenix? Any bird is considered a descendant of a phoenix, right?"
"10,000 years of cultivation? By then, the grass on my grave is probably 100 feet long!"
Han Zhao was speechless, but he didn't mind. He carried the cage and left the main room.
This chicken looked good.
Whether it was stewed and eaten or sold, it was not a loss.
He returned to the rockery and retrieved the Extraction Saber. Then, he took off his female clothes and changed into his night clothes to wake the woman up.
"I've already killed the evil person inside. Go to the main house now and pretend that you just found out. This matter has nothing to do with you, understand?" Han Zhao handed the linen clothes to the woman.
"Thank you, Young Hero." The woman took the clothes and hesitated. "Young Hero, can you leave your name? I want to…"
"My name is Song Que. Go." Han Zhao nodded.
The head of this heretic Blood Tempering martial artist was worth 500 taels of silver. He could not give up. Moreover, his battle results of killing a Blood Tempering martial artist could not be hidden. Song Que's name would definitely spread nearby, so it did not matter if he said it.
"Young Hero, see you again." The woman walked towards the main house.
Seeing that she really had no intention of making a fuss, Han Zhao blended into the night and rushed in the opposite direction.
After a while, a scream resounded through the night sky.
This commotion quickly attracted the attention of the bandits in the village. A large number of bandits woke up from their sleep and rushed toward the residence with torches.
Looking at the bandits who were lured away, Han Zhao took the opportunity to escape and leave the village.
He stood in the bushes not far from the village and watched the commotion inside.
"Squawk~"
After Han Zhao sped away, the rooster in the cage was shaken awake and made a sound.
"Shut up," Han Zhao said in a low voice.
"Squawk!" There seemed to be anger in the rooster's voice.
"Alright, alright! I'll get you something to eat later."
"Squawk!"
"Make another sound and I'll stew you!"
"…"
"Can't I deal with a feathered beast like you?!" Han Zhao chuckled and shook the cage hard, but the rooster inside didn't dare to make a sound.
He took a deep look at the village not far away and muttered, "The next time I come, there's no need to be so secretive."
With that, he turned around and left, taking advantage of the night to go down the mountain.
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