Everybody is Kung Fu Fighting, While I Started a Farm

by Little Merger

Rejuvenation of spiritual energy, prevalence of martial arts, and extraordinary awakening, Jiang He said that he didn’t panic at all. With a farm system, farming can become stronger. What should I do if I practice too slowly? Don’t panic, plant some cucumbers to eat. Cucumber effects: clearing away heat and detoxification (relieving hundreds of toxins), strengthening the brain a

5. 135

Read Everybody is Kung Fu Fighting, While I Started a Farm Chapter 135 - Planting Violet Mushrooms online for free - NovelFull

Chapter 135: Planting Violet Mushrooms

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Pudgy Jiang's subordinates were working gingerly, afraid of offering a retort.

They worshipped Jiang He a lot too, but as their Chief Jiang had put it… Jiang He did not hold back from mutual destruction against elites of the Sky Demon Cult, making him a hero of humanity. Therefore, how could they let his body rot in the wild?

Moreover, Pudgy Jiang was really on fire.

Despite his usual unruly manners, sarcasm and cheerful smile, his eyes were now all red, and he actually behaved a little hysterical.

However, after everyone searched for a big circle…

Someone went to Pudgy Jiang, muttering, "Chief Jiang, could we have been mistaken?"

"Maybe Jiang He wasn't dead?"

"The Third Elder of the Sky Demon Cult was right there in ground zero but there was still something left of him. Wouldn't Jiang He's body be found if he was really dead?'

Pudgy Jiang forced a smile. "I hope that's true. But… I know my nuclear rocket launchers: short range, big explosive radius. The shooter might survive if they have some cover, but at this open land and the yield of that nuclear warhead, how could Jiang He withstand it?"

As an expert of munitions, Pudgy Jiang trusted his own judgment.

That was when his eyes suddenly twinkled and he looked out into the distance.

There was a road heading up Mount Helan there.

And on it were two rapidly moving lights.

"Chief Jiang, that car came down from Mount Helan. Should we stop it?" Someone asked, but Pudgy Jiang had already dashed away in a flash, his plump figure stopping in the middle of the road.

Screech!

Jiang He then opened the door and got off, scolding him with a smile. "Old Jiang, where are you here in the middle of the night? Don't you need to sleep?"

Pudgy Jiang's eyes widened and he could not help exclaiming, "Jiang He… you're not dead?"

???

Jiang He was utterly confused.

Who was this guy cursing?

And yet, Pudgy Jiang had already run up to him, his arms wide open in emotion to attempt a hug on Jiang He. Jiang He, however, charged Indestructible Diamond by reflex, his protective Nature Qi knocking away Pudgy Jiang and sending him flying.

"Old Jiang, use words, not actions!"

Hence, after they conversed up to eight minutes, Jiang He understood what Pudgy Jiang meant by 'you're not dead', and couldn't help scowling, "You fool, and you'd call yourself a munitions expert?"

"The nuclear rocket launchers may have a clear drawback, but it's not like it can't be compensated for!"

Pudgy Jiang's interest was promptly piqued. "How did you compensate?"

"Run!"

"Turn and run right after you fire. If you're quick enough, the shockwave from the blast would not reach you!"

Of course, Jiang He could not mention the fact that the range of his nuclear warheads would increase after he planted them… it's not like anyone could understand that, and could they grow them even if he did care to mention?

Pudgy Jiang Was speechless at that.

'You call that compensating?

'Doesn't that mean you'll die if you're not fast enough?'

Then, he could not help asking, "By the way, why are you out here in the middle of the night, Jiang He?

"Why else would I be here?" Jiang He replied. "I received a mission from the Superpower Research Department, who needs several Ferals alive for studying. That's why I'm here to tame some beasts."

At that, Jiang He's tone changed and he seethed in frustration, "I just didn't know that the Sky Demon Cultists are so obsessed to send one Elder and two Grands after me!"

It was fortunate that the Third Elder, Bound Star, and Guilty Star were not there to hear that, or they'd be rolling around in their graves!

Please! We went to Mount Helan to chop down a tree!

All we wanted was some Origin Fluid and the Willow Core… how were we coming for you?"

Nonetheless, Pudgy Jiang felt indignant towards the Sky Demon Cult as well, and cursed them before asking, "If you came for beast-taming, where are the Ferals?"

Someone shouted just as he spoke—

"Chief Jiang! Ferals incoming!"

It was the kid who awakened 'all-seeing eyes', and he was shouting on top of his lungs, "Three panther Ferals, but their auras are very powerful!"

Pudgy Jiang looked out to find dust being kicked up in the air, with three Ferals dashing towards them.

Jiang He smiled. "Well, they're here."

"Alright, Old Jiang. I need to get home soon; we'll talk next time."

As he spoke, he climbed back inside the off-road vehicle.

Mu Wanqiu floored the pedal and off-road vehicle roared away, and behind it, the three massive and ferocious panthers stayed right behind it.

"…"

Pudgy Jiang and the others were left dumbstruck, only coming to their senses after half a beat. They exchanged looks, and someone gulped in disbelief, "So powerful! What rank are those three panthers? The aura palpating from them is actually leaving me shaking…"

"Nonsense!"

Pudgy Jiang barked, even though he was at a loss for words. "A rank-seven, a rank-six and a rank-five pinnacle. How could they not be powerful?'

The sun had risen by the time Pudgy Jiang returned to the Martial Arts Department (MAD) of Western Xia City.

He had just returned to the building when the supervisor at intelligence came to him, somberly saying, "There's something wrong, Chief Jiang. The Sky Demon Cultist suspects we've been keeping an eye on are all gone in a single night."

"What happened?"

Pudgy Jiang grimaced, barking, "There's over twenty of you at intelligence. What the heck is everyone doing there? Can't you even watch a handful of moles from the Sky Demon Cult?"

There were dozens of Sky Demon Cultists lurking near Western Xia City. The MAD had set their sights on four of them, hoping to use them as bait to hook a bigger fish—only for all-for to vanish overnight.

The person in charge of Intelligence could be seen sweating from his brow, saying, "We'll look into it right away, chief!"

He left, mobilizing all forces to investigate everywhere.

Eventually, around five in the afternoon, the supervisor returned to the Pudgy Jiang's office with a troubled look, saying Chief…"

"Our men have looked into it, and found that they had gone up Mount Helan last night…"

"So, I bring my people up there in the afternoon, only to find a dozen corpses. We've confirmed their identities: all of them are Sky Demon Cultists."

"What?"

Pudgy Jiang remembered Jiang He right then, and quickly whipped out his phone to dial his number…

However, no one answered.

After some thought, he said, "Help me contact Jiang He… forget it, I'll contact him myself!"

Meanwhile.

Jiang He was snoozing away on the second-floor bedroom in his bedroom back at Jinyintan village.

After returning home and having breakfast, he remembered that he had slept less than an hour, which was why he took went to bed again, and slept from eight until the afternoon.

He only rubbed his eyes and woke up groggily after six.

Sora had already prepared his towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a deliciously scented dinner.

After enjoying his dull and boring life with a maid, Jiang He put on his slippers and went to his yard leisurely.

Having eaten his fill, it was time for farming.

There, Dumbo and Trumbo were having a disco dance over the many graves. At the same time, the three panthers were lying around in another corner, staring out blankly and in despair…

Those two are Ferals too?

They embarrass all Ferals!

When Jiang He arrived at the yard, both Dumbo and Trumbo promptly ran up to him, and Dumbo was carrying a shovel when he did so.

More outrageously…

That three-tailed demon cat was trying to earn Jiang He's favor by wagging its tail like a dog?

The black panther had so many complaints in its mind, and there was a look of disdain in its eyes.

Hence, in the next instant, it had lunged before Jiang He and imitating them, wagging its tail and speaking through telepathy, "Bro, do you need help?"

Jiang He took out a violet mushroom from his System Backpack with a flip of his hand.

That thing…

Looks tasty, but there's no telling what effect could grow out of it!

Report chapter

Chapter 136: Violet Flame Lingzhi

The violet mushroom of Mount Helan, also known as wood blewits usually grew at natural pine forests, and were a wild fungi species under the genus cortinariaceae.

Jiang He searched online.

He learned that the violet mushrooms of Mount Helan were quite famous and expensive, containing various micronutrients, promoting health, and fights cancer.

Of course, promoting health and fights cancer was an exaggeration—cancer would not be that frightening if it could be fought off.

"This violet mushroom seems to have mutated. Wonder if mutated crops would strengthen a second time after I grow them."

Jiang He stretched out his senses, and he could feel the unique energy of the violet mushroom in his hand.

He realized that his spiritual strength seemed to have improved greatly after ascending up to rank-seven, even gaining some distinct breakthroughs. For example, his consciousness could leave his body with a thought, and it was a little like the spirit mind as portrayed in Xianxia novels.

Jiang He had tried it, and found out that his consciousness could extend a hundred meters away, and when it did, he could distinctly feel even the wind breezing through a blade of grass within range.

But that was digressing.

Jiang He had three of the mutated violet mushrooms, along with four other species of mutated mushrooms.

The mutated black wood ears were most numerous, since the Feral minions the black panther had sent found over dozens of them. Each were palm-sized and soft, and had a distinct smell that struck the nose once he took them out.

It was normal.

All wood ears had a pungent smell, but they were delicious after they were cooked.

And when Jiang He had taken out one of the violet mushrooms, Dumbo had already started digging.

It smugly reared its canine head after it was done, even showing a smile of disdain… a big kitty, trying to steal my affection?

On the other hand, the black panther was left rather dumbfounded.

There was something about that dog!

Was it not holding a humanmade weapon (shovel)?

And it was so proficient.

Meanwhile, Jiang He had thrown the violet mushroom into the hole, along with a composite fertilizer that he had redeemed.

Dumbo then buried it while Trumbo watered it, dog and cat working in perfect tandem.

After that, Jiang He took out the other two violet mushrooms, and Dumbo dug two more holes. After they were finished planting them, the first mushroom they planted was already sprouting.

The soil wiggled, and a smaller violet mushroom grew out of the ground.

Faint violet clouds encircled it, and as the mushroom rapidly grew larger, the violet clouds grew thicker, and soon scarlet flames ignited.

At the same time, a wild gust blew.

Then, the clouds actually appeared on the skies over the yard and painted it violet, stretching over a dozen miles as fired burned within, a wondrous scene.

"What a sight!"

Jiang He's expression changed. Until now, there had only been two notable phenomena occurring when he grew his corps: one was when he planted the Strengthened Nine Yang Technique and the other when he planted the Dragon Elephant Prajna, and both were cultivation manuals.

He did not expect such a phenomenon to occur just form growing a violet mushroom.

"Hold on…"

Suddenly, Jiang He's expression changed and he muttered, "Both of those phenomena only occurred inside my yard. Why would the violet mushroom's fly up into the air and even cause rolling burning violet clouds, wouldn't someone else see that?"

Back in the yard, Dumbo and Trumbo were used to the weirdness, whereas the three panthers were left dumbfounded.

Frowning, Jiang He could not help asking, "You could see the mushroom I planted?"

"What mushroom?"

The black panther appeared taken aback in its spirit voice. "All I see was you burying the mushroom, and then the skies became that way… was that connected to the mushrooms?"

It certainly could not see the mushrooms growing out but could see the weirdness in the skies, which meant that outsiders could see the phenomenon too.

Jiang He then pointed at the two golden trees nearby, which grew from the golden bricks he planted.

"Do you see these two trees?"

The black panther turned to see nothing but air, and stiffly shrunk its head, cowering as it retreated several steps backward, saying, "Bro, I really can't see a thing…"

It shuddered then.

Could Jiang He be finding an excuse to beat it up?

Indeed, it was not accustomed to that big bro not hitting it ever since it arrived at his dwelling.

Jiang He ignored the black panther, however, as he began to think.

The black panther could not see it?

Others could not see it?

It made sense that Trumbo could see it since he planted it… but what about Dumbo? He did not plant the dog on the outset…

"Could it be… Because Dumbo awakened after eating my farm's crops, which was why it could see the crops inside the farm?" Jiang He thought if that was the case, which was actually rather simple.

Mallet Wang…

Oh, wait, that's Wang Sizhen.

"Of course, that's not the only possibility."

"Maybe they don't have to awaken by eating my crops to see my farm, but they could see it once they eat them?"

When Jiang He considered it, there was not actually that many people who ate his crops, although they were not in the few either. It included Wang Siyu, her brother Mallet Wang, Mu Wanqiu, his mansion's construction group. Still, for the latter, he had only prepared a few cucumbers for them,

Before this, Jiang He was worried that others could see his farm, but that was not the case now.

So what if they saw it?

It was just floral spirits that he moved here from the wild. He just had to craft some story when the time comes, and whether anyone believes that was up to them!

In the meantime, the bizarre sight in the skies only disappeared after six minutes.

Jiang He looked down on the ground. The three mushrooms that were gleaming in a violet hue were already ripe, and they looked no different in size compared to when they were planted, although they appeared crystalline now.

When he looked closer, there was a fiery halation around its purple hue that presented it vibrantly.

Jiang He walked up and plucked one.

[Ding!]

[100 Farm Points]

A System Notification jingled in his head, and Jiang He turned by instinct towards the System Panel to see that the mushroom earned him 1,000 farm points and an additional 100 Farm EXP.

He looked at the mushroom, and a bunch of data appeared before his eyes.

[Violet Flame Lingzhi]

[Age: 200 years]

[Effect: Substantially develops cultivation and gains a chance of awakening a superpower after consumption.]

"…"

Jiang He was stunned.

Gulp~~

His Adam's Apple rolled as he swallowed a mouthful of spit, and after half a beat, he could not help cursing:

What the hell!

Lingzhi?

Two-hundred years vintage?

It developed cultivation and had a chance of awakening superpowers?

"I've hit the jackpot!"

Jiang He's eyes twinkled as he plucked the other two Violet Flame Lingzhi, ready to have Sora stir fry a lingzhi-over-meat dish for him, only to find a car parked outside his yard when he stepped out.

Duan Tianhe, Cheng Dongfeng and Chen Jingzhou all got off the car, all of them looking somber as they asked, "Jiang He, what the heck happened?"

Jiang He knew that that were asking about the phenomenon up in the skies.

Lingzhou City was not far from here, and the surging violet cloud had blazed over a dozen miles. Only the blind would not see it.

Having expected that and thought of a reason, Jiang He scratched his head and smiled awkwardly, saying, "Well… sorry about that. I accidentally ascended up to rank-nine, so I didn't expect to cause such an incredible surge of violet qi… did I cause trouble?"

Report chapter

Chapter 137: Secret Realm of the Void

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Jiang He did not believe that he was being a problem.

He had read so many novels where it was too normal for the protagonist would cause the world around him to shift, causing the skies and thunder to roll.

But why were the others overreacting?

Still, when he noticed that Chen Jingzhou, Duan Tianhe and Cheng Dongfeng remaining frozen stiff, he asked them seriously, "Are you guys… alright?"

Why did it feel like they were petrified?

Could there be too many holes in his excuse?

Waving his hand in front of the trio who were blanking out, Jiang He was thinking how he should smooth out his excuse when Cheng Dongfeng exclaimed in shock and a pair of bulging eyes, "You've… ascended?"

Soon, both Duan Tianhe and Chen Jingzhou reacted as well and began to question Jiang He. The shock in their tone was hard to hide, and they were looking at Jiang He as if he was a monster.

A little embarrassed from being stared at, Jiang He quickly and humbly said, "Why those looks? I've just made a little breakthrough on my cultivation and caused some weird phenomenon. There's nothing surprising, is there?"

Hehe.

Cheng Dongfeng forced a smile and said, "You guys should continue. I'm taking a stroll."

This conversation was over!

A little breakthrough?

Only Jiang He would dare to say something like that. As a matter of fact, Cheng Dongfeng was himself a prodigy, or he wouldn't have received the personal instruction of the grandmaster of the Eight Trigrams School.

After beginning his martial arts training there when he was sixteen, he only reached the level of grandmaster a while ago, aged thirty-eight…

On the other hand, how many days had Jiang He began cultivating?

Was he not merely rank-four just half a month ago?

It was even more outrageous that his ascension had caused some phenomenon in his surroundings. Though it had been written in the records of the Eight Trigrams School that peerless beings had definitely stirred the world around them, Cheng Dongfeng had yet to hear of anyone truly achieving such feats.

Still, when he recalled Jiang He's speed in cultivating and his fearsome feats, Duan Tianhe felt that it only made sense that he caused a greater uproar!

"Oh, right!"

"Heavenly miracles could happen when rank-nines reach the boundary of the divine too. I wonder what ruckus the brat would cause when that happens?"

Cheng Dongfeng calmed considerably after taking a stroll outside, and only returned to Jiang He's mansion after that.

As he entered the living room, he could hear Duan Tianhe discussing about Mount Helan with Jiang He.

"Pudgy Jiang called me just now, Jiang He. He said that the intelligence wing under his command had found a dozen corpses at Mount Helan, and all of them were Sky Demon Cultists…"

"Only a dozen?"

Jiang He frowned. "According to my understanding, shouldn't there be around forty?"

As he recall, when he killed Young Zhang and Old Wang, he learned from them that around forty other Sky Demon Cultists had rushed to Mount Helan.

"That number is not confirmed yet, since Pudgy Jiang is still leading the search up at Mount Helan."

Duan Tianhe paused and said, "According to him, the killing blows on those cultists were all dealt by Ferals."

"Oh, Pudgy Jiang didn't tell you?"

Jiang He grinned. "I've tamed the Feral King of Mount Helan—it's a rank-seven advanced black panther, and I sent it and its bros to ambush those Sky Demon Cultists."

Duan Tianhe appeared taken aback at that. Pudgy Jiang did mention that, but he did not really buy it.

Beast-tamer?

So Jiang He really was a beast-tamer?

Even Duan Tianhe had his doubts before.

On the other hand, Chen Jingzhou laughed out loud. "That's how beast-tamers are unique. Even compared to humans, Ferals are more abiding towards the law of the jungle. Once a formidable beast-tamer takes control of the Feral King in a certain area, it is no different from controlling a horde of Ferals."

"Jiang He, your killing of Bound Star, Guilty Star and the Third Elder of the Sky Demon Cult is yet another accomplishment, and I've already reported your merit to the military. They've also decided to award you the rank of colonel, and you could take a post of command if you are willing to join the army."

Jiang He shook his head in refusal without even thinking.

The rank was nice, but only in stature.

As for joining the military…

Wouldn't his farm go to waste if he did?

He was contributing to the nation by farming anyway!

After that, Chen Jingzhou and the others only left around eight.

After seeing them off, Jiang He quickly went to Sora and took out a Violet Flame Lingzhi, as well as a chunk of the Feral beef he got from his trip up Mount Helan. "Make me some lingzhi beef," he said, "Spicier but less salt, and don't put parsley—I can never get used to that."

Meanwhile, Cheng Dongfeng was on the driving wheel, and the trio soon left Jinyintan Village.

Everyone in the car was talking about Jiang He, and disbelief was obvious in their exchange.

"How long has it even been?" Duan Tianhe sighed. "It's probably half a month ago when I first saw him, and he was just rank-four, wasn't he? And in just half a month, he reached the boundary of grandmasters!"

Duan Tianhe could not help recalling how Jiang He asked him about 'how to kill a grandmaster', believing that Jiang He was delusional and ignorant. Looking back now, he realized that he was the one who had been delusional and ignorant.

Cheng Dongfeng had not said a word in the meantime.

After all, he had exchanged blows with Jiang He before…

It was fortunate that not many people know about that, and it had not been mentioned at the moment.

On the other hand, Chen Dongfeng mused to himself for a long time before speaking. "It seems that my hunch is right. Jiang He had definitely gained providence: the corns he sold to Mu Wanqiu were mutated plants that almost reaches the level of floral spirits, and he himself must have a genuine floral spirit that specifically develops his cultivation."

Duan Tianhe nodded in agreement.

Only such an explanation would work for Jiang He's incredible cultivation.

Moreover, such examples were not rare. Since the Revival of Qi, many who gained providence would most definitely develop by leaps and bounds.

Nonetheless, Cheng Dongfeng frowned over the steering wheel saying, "That explains the godly speed of cultivation, but what about his cultivation method? According to the kid, he simply cultivated something passed down in his family. Even if his ancestors happened to be a disciple of the famous Jiang Family of Jiangnan, they did not have such an outstanding palm technique or cultivation method!"

"A rank-six killing a rank-nine is simply unheard of!"

Even now, Cheng Dongfeng still vividly remembered Jiang He's Eighteen Dragons Subduing Palms.

However, at his words, Chen Jingzhou's gaze twitched and he murmured, "The Jiang Family… the Jiang Family? What if Jiang He's surname is Jiang, but another character?"

At a loss for words, Cheng Dongfeng turned around to give Chen Jingzhou a long look. "Commander Chen, are you playing with tongue twisters here? Jiang and Jiang, how many Jiangs could there be?

And yet, Duan Tianhe caught Chen Jingzhou's meaning and said quietly, "Are you referring to the Jiang Clan of the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor? No way. That is one of the five Holy Grounds, and it was sealed before the Second World War. No clansmen had come outside for almost a hundred years!"

"However…"

"That is not entirely impossible. If Jiang He's ancestor was a disciple of that Jiang clan and lived in anonymity, it is reasonable that he posses a profound martial arts legacy."

Nonetheless, that was when Duan Tianhe's phone rang.

He answered the call and said a few words. Soon, a weird look appeared over his face, and he only hung up after some time.

When he saw that both Cheng Donfeng and Chen Jingzhou was looking at him, he said, "It's from above."

"Our agent embedded in the Sky Demon Cult had responded…"

"What?"

Cheng Dongfeng's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Was his identity verified? Wasn't the higher-ups suspecting that his cover was blown, after he did not report multiple Sky Demon Cult operations?"

Duan Tianhe forced a smile. "The higher-ups are also saying that the Sky Demon Cult suffered heavy losses, which was why they opened their Secret Realm. Our agent managed to get his name on the list of entrees, which was why he was unable to communicate with the outside."

"Woah!"

Cheng Dongfeng exclaimed in shock. "By the way, who is that agent? The man's luck is insane, even getting in a Secret Realm? Wouldn't he be slipping amongst the core hierarchy of the Sky Demon Cult after he steps out?"

There was envy in Cheng Dongfeng eyes.

Secret Realms were 'microworlds' that elites of the Void Boundary opened. One would have an easier time developing harmony with the world if they cultivated inside, and there six Secret Realms in the Hua Nation. For the last hundred years, the five Holy Grounds that wandered the world had each taken control of one Sacred Realm.

And the last remaining one was under the nation's control.

Report chapter

Chapter 138: Jiang He Awakens Again!

According to media reports and announcements, the Revival of Qi had only reached a full ten years now. However, it actually began much earlier, although it was limited to the old mountain forests, lakes, and seas where humans rarely tread.

There was much information regarding that online at the time.

Examples include the monster of Lake Tianchi, Godzilla, the Titanoboa of the Amazon, King Kong of Skull Island in the specific. There had even been images and blurred videos, but all those were denounced by the various nations as fake news, and secret warnings had been issued against those who spread the 'rumors'.

At the same time, the legacy of martial arts had an even longer history, although the innumerable recent fires of war left martial arts on a decline. With the rise of guns and cannons, voices of discord were spoken amongst the various martial arts clans and schools.

What use was there in training in martial arts?

Cultivation was extremely difficult both in being maintained and being improved upon, and you would still get downed by a single bullet even after ten years of training.

However, according to certain records, martial arts were quite common in older times. Moreover, the environment than did not differ much from the present-day environment where the Revival of Qi had occurred, which was why there had been stories of incredible feats of strength or a martial artist tearing off a general's head despite facing an entire army—such things were impossible without formidable martial arts cultivation.

Legends such as the one where Liu Bang cut down a white dragon was actually him slaying a Feral white snake, stories that were exaggerated.

The trio in the car now had started their cultivation even before the Revival of Qi and were no minor characters. They certainly were aware of many secrets, such as how Void elites were extremely rare even in ancient times, and were known as the 'immortals of the land'.

If such champions developed further, they would 'break the Void' and take to the skies. That was no myth, as an elite estimated that the so-called taking to the skies meant physically journeying through the stars.

The last Void elite in record was born over six hundred years ago, and he was the one who founded the Holy Grounds of Wudang, which was another one of the five Holy Grounds.

Back in the car, Cheng Dongfeng was sighing a lot in envy. "Old Duan," he said, "Could you talk to headquarters and see if there's still need to embed more agents in the Sky Demon Cult. I believe I'm especially suited to be a mole… I mean, that's a direct ticket into a Secret Realm—I'm so envious I could die.

After all, what does that agent being sent by the Sky Demon Cult to the Secret Realm for cultivation meant?

It meant that he had truly gained the trust of the Sky Demon Cult and would be groomed with full strength. Would he lack secret text and cultivation resources then?

Duan Tianhe laughed. "Sure, I'll talk to the minister later."

"No, no, no…"

Cheng Dongfeng quickly said. "I don't really mean it. The Sky Demon Cult is not like how it was in the past where it has leaks everywhere, and they just might know my identity, and get rid of me just when I joined as an undercover agent… It's better to do honest work and earn merit points. Who knows with we would have the chance to cultivate in our own Secret Realm."

"Oh, right… did the higher-ups call you specifically to tell you that? Is there no other information?"

Duan Tianhe's expression turned solemn at that. "The agent must have just come out of his cultivation at the Secret Realm, and informed us that the Sky Demon Cultists had found a treasure up on Mount Helan, rumored to be a tier-nine willow tree. One of their Elders and two of their elites had gone there."

"A rank-nine floral spirit?"

Both Cheng Dongfeng and Chen Jingzhou twitched at that, with the former suddenly jamming his foot on the brakes, before turning stiffly to look at Chen Jingzhou and Duan Tianhe at the backseat.

"Are you sure it was one elder and two elites?"

Both Chen Jingzhou and Duan Tianhe did a double take at that.

Didn't Jiang He mention that Bound Star, Guilty Star, and the Third Elder of the Sky Demon Cult had gone to Mount Helan to attack him?

Still, it felt like a chance meeting.

Inwardly, they were all clicking the like button for that Sky Demon Cult trio…

How unlucky could they be!

Raucous laughter broke out on the car then, although everyone turned solemn soon again.

A rank-nine floral spirit was definitely a priceless treasure. If they really chop it down and took advantage of it, both Duan Tianhe and Cheng Dongfeng would be able to strengthen their cultivation and advance towards rank-eight—even Chen Jingzhou who had grasped sword will would improve greatly.

A call from Pudgy Jiang arrived then.

He was extremely thrilled, exclaiming, "Old Duan! Jackpot, jackpot! I found a willow tree up on Mount Helan and it's massive! I think it might be a floral spirit… although…"

Pudgy Jiang paused at that and said uncertainly, "It feels like this floral spirit is lifeless."

Back at the living room of the mansion.

Jiang He was sniffing at the fragrant smell wafting from the kitchen.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted.

In the kitchen, Sora's aura seemed to have changed slightly—her weak qi and blood seemed to have strengthened considerably.

"A quasi-martial artist?"

Jiang He laughed. He was not quite surprised.

After all, Sora did eat one of his big cucumbers which already improved her qi. Now that she was cooking, the faint energy from the Violet Flame Lingzhi alone was strengthening her endlessly.

Soon.

A [rank-four beef fillet over Violet Flame Lingzhi that looked as delicious as it smelled was placed in front of Jiang He.

Sora served him a bowl of rice as well, while she stood beside him, waiting on him in her sexy maid costume.

Jiang He smiled. "Sit down, Sora. You should eat too… oh, right, meat is okay, but don't eat the Violet Flame Lingzhi… well, I'll pour you some soup."

Sora: "…"

Even as she held her bowl, she obediently put down the piece of Violet Flame Lingzhi she had between her chopsticks, her little face looking a little upset.

Jiang He was rather amused.

Still, he was not being stingy.

The energy in the Violet Flame Lingzhi was simply too strong. A quasi-martial artist like Sora would never digest it—as qi fills her exceedingly, she would die.

Putting a piece of the Violet Flame Lingzhi in his mouth, Jiang He closed his eyes and chewed gently.

It tasted…

The same as mushrooms, but the most important part was the texture.

Once the Violet Flame Lingzhi was in his mouth, it blew up like dynamite. Although it did not burn Jiang He's mouth, it felt like a fire had ignited within.

"Violet Flame… Violet Flame, so the flame means fire?"

Eating three bowls of rice in a single breath, he cleaned up the whole plate of rank-four beef fillet over Violet Flame Lingzhi, and only then did he pat his belly in satisfaction.

Still, a look of disappointment showed on his face when he sensed his cultivation.

"Wasn't this thing supposed to greatly strengthen cultivation?

"I've eaten an entire mushroom, and only reached rank-seven intermediate-pinnacle?"

Jiang He did the math.

Improving from rank-seven novice to rank-seven intermediate-pinnacle?

That's greatly strengthening?

"And where was the supposed chance of awakening superpowers?"

Jiang He was rather furious and could not help slapping the dining table. Still, he soon realized in shock that a pale flame had shown up over his palm.

In the next instant, a scorching sensation burst out inside Jiang He's body.

"Oh no, I'm going to awaken!

"It's so hot! My body's catching fire!"

Jiang He face dropped, and ran up to the swimming pool on the third floor in a flash.

The huge pool that was around ten meters squared was filled with water so clear the bottom could be seen.

Splash.

Jiang He jumped into it immediately.

Even so, the scorching sensation over his body was not relieved at all. It burned even worse now, and his clothes were reduced to ashes even if he was in the water.

Blurp-blurp-blurp!

The water in the swimming pool began to churn and bubble, boiled immediately by his body heat and rapidly evaporating.

Jiang He, his thoughts burnt into a blur seemed to be seeing things just then: an otherworldly figure, vaguely entered his vision just then.

"Goshuujin-sama.."

Chapter 139: Blow Up His Ancestors!

Jiang He could not help flinching at the coquettish, worried voice.

He promptly opened his eyes and withdrew the blazing flames around his body. White steam was everywhere within the vast room, and Sora was standing behind him, her face scarlet as her sexy maid costume was dampened by sweat and steam.

"Get out!"

It was too hot here.

The fire blazing around him when he awakened almost vaporized the entire swimming pool in seconds.

Hence, Sora left.

Jiang He opened a window, and with a gust of True Qi, he blew the steam out of the room.

Then, stretching his senses over his own body, he found that the ocean of swords in his head was now burning with scarlet flames.

At a single thought…

Whoosh.

A streak of fire shot out of his fingertip.

"Fire-type power?"

"It doesn't feel strong, and it would barely hold up against a rank-six martial artist… its strength is probably a class-B pinnacle."

After feeling around a bit, Jiang He had a general idea of his fire-type power.

It was very weak.

Untold times weaker than his luminous sword.

Still, Jiang He was very happy.

"It's fire-type power… with this, starting fires during outdoor camping would be much more convenient!"

Of course, fire-type powers were not limited to the function of starting fires.

He could keep warm when it was cold, dry clothes rapidly, although his Nine Yang True Qi would achieve that as well…

"Actually, it is very convenient to grill meat with fire-type powers, but having barbecue meat when camping out is a state of mind. That makes using fire-type powers even less ideal than buying ready-made meals!"

Heading to his bedroom, Jiang He changed into another set of clothes.

He went downstairs and took his phone from the dining table.

Fortunately, he put his phone on the table when he was eating. It would have been burnt to ashes with his clothes if he had it with him.

Unlocking his screen he found that he missed two WeChat video call requests and three missed calls, all from Duan Tianhe.

But just as he was ready to call back, Duan Tianhe called him again.

When he answered and found out that Duan Tianhe was asking about the willow tree on Mount Helan, Jiang He couldn't help laughing. "Pudgy Jiang found it too? Well, there's no need to be afraid. The tree is quite gentle—it even gave me a few branches and a bucket of Origin Fluid."

"By the way, Chief Duan, I believe that the floral spirit is a life, now that it has gained consciousness and all. It can't move and it won't hurt people, so spare its life."

Pausing, Jiang He then added, "Most importantly, I found its Origin Fluid delicious. If we keep it, we could get more anytime we want."

Duan Tianhe was silent for a long time on the other end, and only chuckled after some time. "I understand, don't worry, Jiang He, I'll send some men to protect that big willow tree of yours."

"…"

Jiang He was rather speechless even as he listened to the beeping sounds from the other end.

What does that even mean, 'my big willow tree'?

Why does he put it like he's being a tyrant? That willow tree had grown on its own on Mount Helan. How did it become his?

"Still, kudos to Old Duan. Protecting the willow tree is a good plan…'

Jiang He smiled.

He knew very well that 'protecting' was an excuse. The willow tree was so powerful that it would be fifty-fifty even if Chen Jingzhou went, and the people Duan Tianhe sent would be less than a whipping willow branch…

Still, guarding it from afar was good too.

"I forgot to tell Old Duan that he should wise up to his lackeys. If they spot someone trying to cut my willow tree down, they must inform me as soon as possible…

"Bleh!

"What does that even mean, my willow tree?

"It belongs to nature, please!"

Arriving at the yard, Jiang He took out the three willow branches from his backpack.

They were given 'generously' to him by the big willow tree, each of them as thick as his thumb, and there were narrow sword-like leaves on it.

The willow branches were full of life. Jiang He pulled on them for a bit and realized that all three were extremely resilient too, and they did not break even if he used up to forty thousand catties worth of strength.

After all, it was something obtained from a rank-nine floral spirit, and one of the branches that glimmered in crystalline emerald radiance. How could it break so easily?

"If use this branch as a whip for foreplay…"

Jiang He thought of the image then.

Whip!

Someone would die if struck.

He could not help shuddering to glance at Dumbo. Understanding his intention, Dumbo was about to get the shovel when…

Whoosh!

A black gust of wind blew abruptly in the yard, kicking dust into the air.

Dumbo, who was standing up like a human used its paw to shield its eyes so that the dust would not get in, and cursed when it lowered its paw, "What the hell? Where did my shovel go?"

Its dog eyes were round in shock.

The shovel…

Which was leaning on the wall, was gone after a gust of wind?

Dumbo turned to find that the black panther was standing up on its rear legs as well, and was using its paws to carry the shovel, acting cute towards their master even as it dug.

After digging a while with the shovel and perhaps finding it difficult, the black panther threw it away and started to dig with its claws.

Jiang He was blue with shock, and quite unsettled!

Were the dog, cat, and panthers going to try currying his favor every day now?

It was now nine in the evening.

Jiang He redeemed three composite fertilizer and buried the three willow branches in the dark yard.

Willow trees are tough in the first place, and a single branch could grow into a shoot if planted correctly.

Even so, Jiang He did not expect a single branch to survive out of the tree.

That one branch quickly grew a bud and soon became a small willow tree around two meters tall, and only then did its growth slow down.

Stretching out with his consciousness, Jiang He sensed that the two meter-tree contained abundant lifeforce as well… It seems that an emerald radiance was glimmering in its tree trunk, and it would gain sentience soon enough.

When that happens, the willow tree would truly become a floral spirit and become capable of guarding the house.

Meanwhile.

Jingdu City, the headquarters of the Martial Arts Department.

Jiang He's information was on the desk of a man in his thirties.

After reading through it, he could not help laughing. "Interesting kid… Old Zhou, take a trip to Xibei and meet him. I'm having a breakthrough on my cultivation and have something to discuss with the five Holy Grounds… we might be able to use him."

"Minister Wang!"

There was a twitch on the face of the middle-aged man called 'Old Zhou', and he quickly said, "Minister Wang, the five Holy Grounds has an extensive history and hides much of their depth. Now is not the time to turn against them…"

Minister Wang laughed loudly at that, and said meaningfully, "Old Zhou, just look at what you're saying… it burns my ears!"

"The five Holy Grounds are a faction in the Hua Nation, boasting countless elites. The many extraterrestrial races staring hungrily at Earth would have to face them even before they think about conquering us. This time, I'm just visiting them to build up good relations. How would I dare to burn bridges?"

The corner of Old Zhou's mouth twitched.

'You are right!

'In fact, if I hadn't happened to hear your call with Commander Li, where you were throwing around words like nuclear option and blow up their ancestors… I would have believed you!'

Report chapter

Chapter 140: Monthly Gift Pack, Mysterious Seed!

Jiang He had been busy over the last few days.

He woke up before noon every day, had his breakfast after washing up, after which he went to the yard, and would return inside when it was late at night.

Of course, the results he had over the last few days had been outstanding too.

The willow tree grew over three meters tall in just a few days, bearing lush dangling branches that formed an emerald foliage. Nine of those branches stood out particularly, glimmering in crystalline green radiance and embodying enormous vigor.

Jiang He had also planted the other mutated mushrooms aside from the violet mushrooms as well, although they dulled in comparison to the Violet Flame Lingzhi. Aside from earning Jiang He some Farm Points and EXP, Jiang He more or less improved his cultivation from rank-seven intermediate-pinnacle to rank-seven advanced.

Still, the taste was quite good.

And today, just as always, Jiang He arrived at the yard at noon.

All he saw was a field of darkness, which covered most of the yard.

Those were the black wood-ears that he had planted yesterday.

Having mutated and evolved to a certain extent, the black wood-ears harvested from Mount Helan had each now grown wider and larger than a palm…

In fact, they were the size of a washbowl, and they were so fleshy that they would last two dishes.

Jiang He walked up and plucked one of the black wood-ears.

[Ding!]

[100 Farm Points]

A System Notification jingled in his mind.

Jiang He stared at the black wood-ear in his hand, and a line of data slowly appeared.

[Mutated Black Wood-Ear]

[Attribute: Mutated black wood-ears are rich with iron.]

[Effect: Long-term consumption of mutated black wood-ears would replenish iron-element in body.]

"…"

Jiang He was speechless. Who doesn't know that black wood-ears are rich with iron? He even checked the specific data, and it was claimed that each 100 grams of black-wood-ear contains 185 milligrams of iron, which was why it was the best food for individuals who were anemic or lack iron.

"But does my body lack iron?"

Despite his complaints, Jiang He began to harvest the black wood-ears. Whether he lacked iron or not, black wood-ears was good for stir-fried dishes or coleslaws, and was a daily food that enriched him.

[Ding!]

[100 Farm Points]

[Ding…]

As the System Notifications jingled repeatedly in his head, Jiang He had soon harvested 63 mutated black wood-ears, earning him 6300 Farm Points and 630 EXP.

"Hmmm…"

"My EXP bar is full again?"

He checked his System.

[Name: Jiang He]

[Cultivation: Rank-Seven Advanced]

[Ability: Royal Sword, fire]

[Martial Arts Cultivation: Indestructible Diamond (Mastery), Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (), Blind Princess's Eight Practices (Second Practice), Strengthened Nine Yang Technique (Third Tier), Ninefold Thunderblade (First Fold), Dragon Elephant Prajna (First Tier)]

[Owned Land: 888m]

[Farm Level: 3 (EXP 5530/5000)]

[System Backpack: 12 boxes]

[System Shop: Unlocked]

[Farm Points: 18300]

After several days of diligent farming, Jiang He had accumulated over eighteen thousand points, and his EXP had also reached five thousand, fulfilling the condition for leveling up.

"What a shame… there's five hundred and thirty EXP in surplus. If I can't level up the farm, that EXP is going to waste soon."

Jiang He felt bothered, because if his farm did not level up immediately when he had enough EXP, it meant that he would need ascension materials like the time he rose from level 2 to level 3.

He glanced at the level up requirements, and could not help gasping—

"Woah!"

"Isn't the System being a little too outrageous here?"

"It's actually demanding rank-nine Feral flesh?"

"Wait a minute…"

Suddenly, Jiang He's gaze twitched and he exclaimed in surprise, "Orirock? What's that?"

The ascension materials were written thus: one portion of rank-nine Feral flash (100kg), two portions of rank-eight Feral flesh (300kg), Orirock x10

Rank-eight and rank-nine flesh was easy to understand, and not difficult to obtain.

As for the Orirock… Jiang He had not even heard of it. It seemed that he would have to find out.

While he was ready to plant some medicine at first, it seemed that he would have to put that idea on hold for now. The effect would be better when he plant them when his farm was level 4, just as he could farm EXP.

Jiang He looked up towards the two Yuanbao Trees then.

On the branches, the golden ingots were swaying amidst the breeze, dinging and donging melodiously whenever two ingots knock into each other. Most importantly, the entire tree was a blinding golden field, with even the leaves gleaming in a pleasant golden luster.

"The Yuanbaos are ripe already?

"Come to think of it, I last harvested them a week ago. Then today is…"

Remembering something, Jiang He whipped out his phone for a look.

It was the twenty-fourth of September.

It was a special day…

Jiang He sighed. "It's been a month since I transmigrated already?"

[Ding!]

[10 Farm Points]

Jiang He reached out to pluck one of the gold ingots, and could not help smiling bitterly when he heard the crisp jingle of a System Notification in his head. From what he observed when it came to the EXP he gained from the money tree, the EXP and farm points he earned from the Yuanbao would be greatly reduced when his farm improved up to level 4, all the way down to 1 Farm Point per ingot.

However, Jiang He had no intention of chopping the Yuanbao Tree.

The tree could be kept for the scenery since it was much more pleasant than the money tree.

After plucking the Yuanbao, Jiang He got Sora to bring him a table and a stool. He sat down on the shade beneath the willow tree in the yard, and started drinking on his own contentedly.

Of course.

He was not drinking alcohol, but Origin Fluid.

A fragrant scent hence spread across the yard.

After having two cups of Origin Fluid, however, Jiang He looked up to find Dumbo, Trumbo and the three panthers all crouched before him, their tongues stretched out all the way as they drooled all over the floor.

"Get lost!

"All of you!"

Jiang He barked, and could not help muttering, "Really, Mu Wanqiu… I caught her three Ferals, so why was she nowhere to be seen ever since we're back?"

Those three Feral Panthers were such gluttons, and had eaten at least 2000 catties of Leopard Python meat in just a few days.

Jiang He had wanted to give Mu Wanqiu the rank-five and six Ferals to Mu Wanqiu while he kept the black panther as pet, and to help Dumbo and Trumbo watch the yard, he changed his mind now.

Research?

Take them and go!

Fillet them or drain their blood, go about as you wish. When they die, return the corpses to me. After planting them with Mysterious Soil, the big kitty I would get would be even larger and more obedient!

"By the way, the Origin Fluid is almost finished. Maybe drinking it like water is a little wasteful… oh, right, can Origin Fluid be planted?"

An idea struck Jiang He then. Planting Origin Fluid might be workable, and when the time comes for the harvest, he could drink as much as he liked. Otherwise, given how lifeless the willow tree of Mount Helan became, Jiang He was afraid that he would have squeezed it dry if it provided him with another few more buckets of Origin Fluid.

But in that very moment—

[Ding!]

[Monthly gift pack has been awarded to Host. Please check at your own leisure.]

Jiang He's eyes sparkled as a crisp System Notification jingled in his head.

He was sitting under the shade for almost half an hour now, because he was waiting for his first monthly gift pack!

"The monthly gift pack sounds much more awesome than the seven-days gift pack. I wonder if I could get something amazing this time."

With a chest full of expectation, Jiang He opened the golden embroidered gift pack in his System Backpack.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host. You have been awarded 5000 Farm Points.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have been awarded a Mysterious Seed.]

Jiang He stared at the flat, plain, dark, and swarthy seed that was marked with a unique but ancient pattern—

[Mysterious Seed]

[Attribute: A seed of mystery.]

"…"

That's…

Jiang He was at a loss for words.

'At least give me an introduction or an explanation.

'A seed of mystery…

'How much more mysterious could it be?'

Report chapter

Chapter 141: Thunderblade, Second Fold

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"What would this thing grow?

"Fruits? Vegetables? Cultivation manuals?"

Jiang He fiddled with the Mysterious Soil before putting it away. He would wait until his farm leveled up before planting it.

"Oh, right. After I harvested the Yuanbao and reach twenty-thousand Farm Points, I could afford to improve my martial arts now."

Jiang He mused to himself for a long time before eventually selecting the Ninefold Thunderblade, to make up for his shortcomings in offensive strength… of course, this attack was weak to peak-level rank-nines.

[Ding!]

[Farm Points -10000]

[Congratulations, Host. You have gained Mastery over the Second Fold of the Ninefold Thunderblade.]

Jiang He left his yard.

Drawing out his Dragon-Slaying Saber and directing his True Qi, he slashed out into thin air.

There was an audible thunderous rumble, and a thunder-slash that extended over twenty meters descended from the skies.

Boom!

A house opposite was cut down by the slash.

"The power in this slash is good. Even if I don't use royal sword, I could kill a rank-eight in several slashes, although it would be lacking when I'm up against a rank-nine martial artist."

Jiang He made an estimation.

If he clashed against a rank-eight like Guilty Star, his twenty-meter thunder-slashes would definitely leave him helpless.

After a few swings, he would die if he could not block it.

That was the advantage of Ninefold Thunderblade—fierce and overwhelming, cornering the opponent with aura. If my first swing could not be deflected, you would be left with no space to breathe, let alone retaliate when the second and third swing comes.

However, advantages were still drawbacks in disguise.

After all, elites like the Third Elder of the Sky Demon Cult would never fall even after dozens of swings. In spite of the ferocity and overwhelming force of the Ninefold Thunderblade, it was stiff as it only moved in straight lines. If an opportunity was exploited for a lethal retaliation, Jiang He's death was only assured.

"Luckily, I have the Dark Golden Combat Suit."

With the Dark Golden Combat Suit that basically kept him immune from most rank-nine attacks, he could allow himself to be beaten up as much as he wanted, and remain unscathed. On the other hand, his opponent would be maimed if they could not block his blade.

Returning inside the mansion, Jiang He took out one of the mutated black wood-ears and handed it to Sora.

There was still a lot of meat in the kitchen fridge. In fact, it was filled to the brim with Leopard Python Meat and Feral Beef.

Recently, Sora's culinary skills had improved a lot as well, and she had learned about Jiang He's tastes.

Jiang He liked hot food and a moderate level of salt, but he did not like cumin. He liked meat, and his stir-fried dishes were basically cooked on a two to one ratio to the vegetable. He had a lot of Feral meat anyway, since each Feral were over hundreds or thousands of catties give or take, with some being counted in the units of tons.

Soon, a sweet scent wafted from the kitchen.

That was when the screech of a car's brakes could be heard outside his door.

Jiang He extended his consciousness for a look, and could not help scowling.

Mu Wanqiu.

That woman hadn't texted for days, and yet she showed up when it's time for dinner.

Was she not trying to freeload meals on purpose?

Most importantly, she was not alone—there were three trucks behind her vehicle, with two people in each truck.

Jiang He went out to meet her. "Mu Wanqiu, where have you been these days? You didn't even text. Do you still want those three Ferals? They've been eating hundreds of catties of meat each day. I wouldn't be able to afford to rear them soon."

"Yes, yes, of course."

Mu Wanqiu quickly explained, "The rank-seven black panther is too strong for normal cages to hold it. That's why I returned on a trip to headquarters and had Grandfather make me a special cage."

She pointed outside, where the three trucks each carried a massive alloy cage.

Each cage was three meters tall and around thirteen meters in length, and was welded together with pipe-sized solid alloys.

"Tsk tsk."

"Is the Superpower Research Department that rich?"

Jiang He couldn't help exclaiming after a quick glance. "If I'm not wrong, there must be S-grade alloy mixed in, was it not? And it looks like a lot was used… wouldn't a single cage be worth a few hundred million?"

After all a single S-grade combat blade was already worth several dozen millions.

With such a large cage, even if S-grade alloy was fused in with a ratio of 10:1 or 20:1, it was a huge load of money even if it was just around three hundred kilograms.

Still, it made sense when Jiang He thought about it.

The black panther was a rank-seven advanced Feral, and normal metal cages would never restrain it.

Moreover, what sort of an organization was the Superpower Research Department?

Others notwithstanding, their development of medicinal pellets and alloy weapons alone was enough to earn them truckloads of capital. And since they were the ones who developed those alloys, getting their hand on several hundred kilograms of S-grade alloy could not be simpler.

Jiang He even stepped outside on purpose to study the alloy beast cage, and could not help frowning, "This cage is quite sturdy, but could the welded joints withstand a collision from a rank-seven Feral?"

"You don't have to worry about that."

Mu Wanqiu took out something that resembled a remote then.

She aimed it at the cage and pressed a button, and an electric current flash past the cage.

"We've wired in high-voltages current of up to several thousand volts. From the data we have, even rank-nine martial artists would be knocked unconscious instantly. Even if the Ferals had thick skin, a rank-seven advanced black panther would never withstand it."

"Moreover, the cage is set to shock once it detects collision. If the Feral would are to crash into its walls, the current would be released instantly… eh?"

Suddenly, Mu Wanqiu cried out in shock, "Jiang He, no…"

She saw Jiang He extending his hand to the beast cage which had thousands of volts coursing through it.

Even as she exclaimed in shock, Mu Wanqiu tried to turn off her remote, but it was already too late—Jiang He's hand had reached the cage.

All at once, cracking sounds popped as fiery bolts sparked out of the metal beast cage, surging wildly at Jiang He and making him shudder.

He let go, unable to repress a gasp!

"Ouch!

"The high-voltage is that scary?"

"I would be paralyzed for one second even with my body. If the voltage is cranked up to five or ten times, it really would knock me out.

"…"

Mu Wanqiu's mouth hung open.

She only turned off the remote then, but was still unable to say a word.

The other Superpower Research Department workers who came with her, however, were left dumbstruck as if petrified.

What the heck!

What was he doing?

The high-voltage current that could knock out rank-nine martial artists was useless against him???

Nonetheless, Jiang He ignored all that.

He barked 'big kitty' into the yard, and in the next second, the black panther had arrived before Jiang He with its two brothers. However, the black panther was reluctant to get in the beast cage after Jiang He gestured for it to get in, which was why Jiang He whipped out his Dragon-Slaying Saber to reason with it.

Left shaking by Jiang He's 'big reasoning', he climbed into the cage on its own.

"What the heck?"

"Laughing out loud… it's not like I'm sending you to die. You just have to work with that little lady over there for research. Be happy!"

At Jiang He's reprimanding, the black panther smiled 'unhappily but staunchly' like a human.

Still, Jiang He had a word with Mu Wanqiu before she left.

After she took those beasts with her, she should experiment with them as ruthlessly as she wanted, as long as she could return him an intact corpse.

Mu Wanqiu smiled bitterly.

'Aren't the panthers your pets?

'Who abuses pets like that?'

"Our research requires live blood of Ferals and we're not cutting them up, so their lives basically wouldn't be in danger… by the way, about your reward, do you want cash, medicinal pellets, weapons, or cultivation manuals?"

An idea struck Jiang He then, and he asked, "Do you have Orirocks?"

Report chapter

Chapter 142: Sunflower Seeds That Improve Spirit

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Orirock?"

Mu Wanqiu appeared perplexed, and she replied, "We have an agreement, Mister Jiang, that I would reward you with three times the money you would get from a Feral corpse of the same tier. I could even pay you with floral spirits or other treasures of the same level… but I can't afford Orirocks!"

Jiang He's eyes twitched.

It seems that Mu Wanqiu was definitely aware of the Orirocks and it was an expensive item, or she wouldn't say such a thing.

So, he promptly smiled. "Miss Mu, you've misunderstood me. I'm just asking out of curiosity."

"As for the reward, floral spirit of the same tier or treasures would do. I don't want money."

Mu Wanqiu only breathed a sigh of relief then.

She was very afraid of Jiang He raising his price.

Returning to her vehicle, she took out a tablet computer, her fingers dancing as she logged in to a website.

"This is the intranet of the Superpower Research Department, and in it are the data of all known and studied floral spirits or rare treasures. You could have a look."

"Oh?"

Jiang He's eyes sparkled at that.

He basically knew nothing about those things, and this was a good chance for him to study up. Since the Superpower Research Department was an authority on those subjects, they would possess more information than even the Martial Arts Department (MAD).

Taking the tablet computer, Jiang He eyes saw that there were two panels: floral spirits, and novelties.

He clicked on floral spirits. The first page was an eye-catching HD photo, and beneath were various species of plants.

Amongst them was an ear of huge, thick corn…

As Jiang He turned to Mu Wanqiu in surprise, she blushed and said, "Yes, that's the corn you sold me. We at the Superpower Research Department studied it and discovered that it had evolved to one point eight times to a typical ear of corn. The various nutrients and essences contained inside were even more outrageous—it exceeds what usual corn would contain by more than fifteen times."

Pausing, she then added, "Actually, the corn does not reach the standards of a floral spirit, since when it comes to improving cultivation, spirit, longevity or providing even a chance of promoting floral spirits, the corn is far lacking compared to floral spirits. Still, one of the female professors in our department insists on categorizing it as a floral spirit…"

Jiang He was most amused.

The corns could be considered the most useless crops he had produced, bar none, although it indirectly blessed a number of women.

"That female professor must be very rich," he could not resist saying then.

"How'd you know?"

Mu Wanqiu was rather surprised, and said, "She is definitely quite something. A legend even in the martial arts scene and one of the few female grandmasters, she also holds authority in science and research, specifically the development of blended qi pellets.

That impressive?

Jiang He was taken aback, but soon smiled. "Actually, I wasn't thinking that far. I just thought that she must be quite flat at first…"

"Huh?"

Mu Wanqiu exclaimed after doing a double take. She always felt Jiang He was mocking her indirectly, which was why she seethed, "Bleh, you thug!"

Meanwhile, Jiang He seriously studied the other floral spirits.

As a matter of fact, those floral spirits were plants that mutated and hence developing certain special effects, even birthing sentience.

According to the Superpower Research Department's categorization, only rank-seven plants could develop sentience, and anything below that tier would not count.

Still, floral spirits that did not count were quite expensive too.

A point in case was the corns Jiang He sold. After buying them off his hands, Mu Wanqiu resold them at a million dollars each, which was basically daylight robbery.

After all, there were too many rich flat women!

Several million was merely pocket change for them.

And who would not only be too happy to pay several million for those curves and cleavage?

Aside from the corns, the weakest floral spirits actually cost five million each. Jiang He studied it and realized that it was a sunflower, and it cost five million… per flower.

And its effect was improving spirit.

Nonetheless, Jiang He was quite interested.

Naturally, there were many other floral spirits that had better effects than the sunflower, but Jiang He was quite interested in that one.

He then turned towards the novelties.

Everything seemed to be included there, including the blood essence of rank-nine Ferals and fragments of ancient god warriors.

At the same time, Mu Wanqiu explained beside him, "There are not many known species of floral spirits at the moment, and only sixty-seven of them were determined to have specific attributes. Novelties were even rarer, because those things only form under specific unique environments—Orirocks being one such example. At the moment, no Orirock vein had been found across the globe, aside from several heritage sites and Secret Realms."

"Heritage sites? Secret Realms?"

Jiang He was confused, and asked, "I have heard Duan Tianhe mention about heritage sites before, which was quite common in the olden days of martial arts. After some powerful martial arts die, or the cavern residences they left behind would become a ruin that brings good fortune for their successors. The rapid development of elites in the Hua Nation is actually connected to the heritage sites that were recently discovered too… but what are Secret Realms?"

Such matters were actually secret.

However, Mu Wanqiu did not come from your usual family, which was why he explained at once, "I heard Grandfather mention it, and so-called Secret Realms are, in fact, microworlds that certain elites opened."

"…"

Jiang He was shocked.

What was that?

Microworlds?

And opened by human means…

"This isn't in the script. I thought that this was a world of martial arts, but somehow extraterrestrial races like the Sky Demons actually popped up, and now there are elites who open microworlds…"

At first, Jiang He was just a little elated when his cultivation improved by leaps and bounds. He thought that except elites above rank-nine, no one could kill him with his current abilities.

And yet, a tremendous pressure bore down on him, ignited like oil to a flame!

Sky Demons, extraterrestrials, ancient elites, heritage sites, Secret Realms, microworlds…

This has risen to the level of scientific fantasy, and Jiang He even felt that an even older heritage site or a divine one would suddenly pop up.

By then, he would not be surprised.

After musing to himself for a while, Jiang He said, "For the reward for the Ferals, I'll take these sunflower seeds that improve spirit. How many of do you have in store?"

"I'll take all your stock, and pay with cash if I'm short or exchange with other items."

"Those sunflower seeds?"

Mu Wanqiu advised, "Those are only useful for rank-six pinnacle martial artists who are trying to make a rush for rank-seven, since it improves spirit and has a chance of improving cultivation as well. You are already rank-seven, and it wouldn't develop your spirit by much…"

Rising from rank-six to rank-seven?

Spirit?

Jiang He's gaze twitched. He suddenly realized why he faced no difficulty in ascension, and why he did not run into the rumored obstacles.

The most important development from rank-six to rank-seven was spirit. Having eaten cucumbers and walnuts every day to nourish his brain and revitalize his spirit, he had long since reached stalwartness in spirit.

Still, no one would fuss over having a strong spirit.

So, if one sunflower seed could increase spirit by a fraction, what about a hundred, a thousand or even ten thousand?

Well, it was a sunflower seed…

He could buy and replant it, and munch on it when he has free time. Would he need to worry that his spirit would not improve?

And it was just five million dollars per seed. How was that expensive?

"Money is like clouds and dung to me…"

Still, as something else crossed Jiang He's mind, he was a little troubled.

"Orirock… Orirock…"

"I wonder if those stuff could be bought… They are only found in heritage sites and Secret Realms, but where am I supposed to find those?"

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Chapter 143: Mutated Wood-Ear, Body Strengthened

"While the Superpower Research Department does have Orirocks, we don't have many, and we definitely would not sell them.

"In fact, some martial arts clans, martial arts schools with a long history or even certain governments possess Orirocks, but… their value are inestimable, and anyone getting their hands on one wouldn't sell them."

Jiang He did not get much from his conversation with Mu Wanqiu.

Still, he at least knew what that was now: a crystallization of pure Universal Force. Most importantly, it also contained Strength of the World, which was incredibly useful for the cultivation of rank-nine elites.

Buying it… would be difficult.

No one would sell such good stuff even if they had stock.

"It's quite close to the spirit stones mentioned in novels, and the best ones at that."

"Well… I might not be able to buy them now. I'll have to ask around for locations of Secret Realms or heritage sites and see if I can get my hands on some."

Jiang He breathed a long sigh. It seems that his priority now was to find Orirocks.

After seeing off Mu Wanqiu, Jiang He returned inside his mansion.

Sora had already prepared dinner. Two plates of stir-fried wood-ear over Feral beef was placed on the table, an alluring aroma wafting from them.

Even so, dinner was plain and dull.

The problem of Orirocks was troubling.

Still, after having his fill, Jiang He felt his head turning foggy.

"My body…"

He quickly closed his eyes to stretch his senses carefully over his body, and realized that his bones, muscles and blood had all improved a little, improving his overall physique.

One should note that when it comes to physique alone and Jiang He's Indestructible Diamond, rank-nine martial artists—aside from those who underwent stress straining—were a class beneath him. In fact, most rank-seven grandmasters would not even scratch him even if he just stood there and allowed them to do as they wished.

And that physique had improved slightly again after two plates of stir-fried wood-ear over beef. Despite the improvement being tiny, it was quite horrific already.

"Mutated black wood-ear…

"A supplement for iron?"

Jiang He studied the mutated black-wood ear again, and could not help coming to a realization.

It feels like the 'iron' mentioned there meant something else. It was not the iron that helped anemia, but… a steeling of the body, strengthening it.

Meanwhile.

An off-road vehicle was slowly driving towards Lingzhou City.

The chauffeur, a rank-six martial artist has a rather strong aura.

Seated on the black seat was a middle-aged man wearing black training clothes, and appeared around forty years old. He had withdrawn his aura, and felt no different from a normal person.

He was leaning sideways, his eyes closed as he slept soundly with a loud snore.

In fact, it was deafening.

The chauffeur grinned. Still, he was used to the VIP's snores, although it would be awkward if someone heard him.

"Mister Zhou, we've arrived at Lingzhou City." The chauffeur called out then.

The middle-aged man opened his groggy eyes to look outside.

"We've just reached. We hadn't reached the Martial Arts Department (MAD), did we? I'll sleep a bit more, just wake me up when we arrived there… Zzz~~~"

The chauffeur chuckled bitterly, and soon reached the MAD of Lingzhou City.

He was about to wake Mister Zhou when he noticed that the snores had stopped. He then turned to find that he was sitting cross-legged, his back straightened and appearing imposing with that black training uniform and his hair that was oily bright.

After all, the deputy of the strongest authority of the MAD ought to have some stature.

Noticing his chauffeur's blank look, Zhou Ning flatly asked, "What are you spacing out for?"

Coming to his senses, the chauffeur quickly got off the car and opened the door for him, saying respectfully, "Mister Zhou, if you please."

Nearby, Duan Tianhe, Cheng Dongfeng, Chen Jingzhou and other core personnel of the Lingzhou City's MAD welcomed him.

Chen Jingzhou laughed heartily. "Old Zhou!"

"Commander Chen!"

Since the rank-nines in the country were few, they were all basically acquainted. Moreover, since Chen Jingzhou was a military elite while Zhou Yu was a MAD elite, they certainly knew each other.

"Welcome, Deputy Zhou, for overseeing the work in this branch."

Duan Tianhe walked up to shake hands with Zhou Yu, who smiled. "You have done fine work lately, Chief Duan. My hands are sore from collecting reports from this city back at Jingdu."

"Thanks to your fine instruction, Deputy Zhou."

"Even Minister Wang mentioned that you're a prodigy, Duan Tianhe. But don't forget to say a few nice things about me."

Beside them, Cheng Dongfeng's mouth twitched.

Why are those two flattering each other? He was weirded out from the politics in their words, and so promptly said, "Did Minister Wang really praise Old Duan, Deputy Zhou? I can't believe it…"

Zhou Yu laughed and said, "Minister Wang's own words were: That bastard Duan Tianhe's has a plain disposition and average martial arts talent, but he is quite serious about his work, and most importantly he has luck on his side."

A chorus of laughter broke out then as Duan Tianhe's face turned green.

Still, such words really sounded like Minister Wang, and he was right when one thought about it.

With so many storms plaguing Lingzhou City recently, it would have fallen long ago if Jiang He didn't suddenly pop up. Even Duan Tianhe had received commendations from headquarters, benefiting from Jiang He's accomplishments.

That being said, Duan Tianhe's competence was not to be doubted. Although most of the nearby towns and villages around Lingzhou City had not been evacuated, everything was being carried out without a hitch. Outside the city, the high-voltage fences were already constructed, and the MAD's Warrior Assessment Policy, mission policy and scouting of martial artists or Awakened amongst civilians was accomplished perfectly.

After a few exchanges, Zhou Yu then turned to Cheng Dongfeng and barked, "Cheng Dongfeng, you brat. What are you doing here? Staying here permanently after doing some work?"

"Weren't things quite difficult here at Lingzhou City a while ago?"

Cheng Dongfeng scratched the back of his head.

On paper, he was attached to MAD headquarters.

Moreover, Zhou Yu also kept his rebuke to a single line, before adding, "Minister Wang said that you don't have to go back if you don't want to. Stay here and support Duan Tianhe, and he'll also appoint you as vice chief of Lingzhou City's MAD."

Cheng Dongfeng scowled. "Vice or not, you put it as if I'm beneath Old Duan. I don't need that title—just increase my salary and work benefits."

"By the way, I've ascended and become a rank-seven grandmaster already. Didn't the MAD put out a policy that grants grandmasters free housing? I don't even have a property to my name…"

How much does a house even cost?

All a grandmaster would have to do was kill a few Ferals.

Still, everyone understood since it was Cheng Dongfeng talking. He's not called the gold-digger for nothing!

Hence, the group chatted as they walked, and Zhou Yu only spoke seriously when they reached Duan Tianhe's office. "Actually, the main reason I've come is to meet Jiang He. Minister Wang is very interested in the kid, so tell him to meet me, Chief Duan."

Duan Tianhe immediately stepped out of the room and dialed Jiang He's number.

Beside them, Cheng Dongfeng was taken aback, and was about say something but stopped himself.

Telling Jiang He to meet you?

From what he knew about the kid's attitude… if you provoked him, you might not get to meet him even if you visited him personally.

And just as expected…

A minute later, Duan Tianhe returned inside with an awkward smile. "Deputy Zhou, it seems that nobody is answering Jiang He's phone. Should I try contacting him tomorrow?"

Pfft!

Cheng Dongfeng almost could not hold back his laughter.

Nobody answering?

No way I'm buying that.

Jiang He directly shot back 'no' and hung up, didn't he?

Over on the third floor of Jiang He's mansion.

He was lying down on his side beside the eighty-squared meters pool, which he now pretty much used as a bathtub.

Lowering his phone, he was at a loss for words.

Who was that?

He did not hear clearly, but the guy actually demanded that he go to meet him, acting all high and mighty.

Who do you think you are!?

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Chapter 144: Mystic Item, Broken Sword

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Splash.

Jiang He stepped out of his swimming pool.

While his figure did not appear robust, each muscle contained the strength to split mountain and stone, and bore a streamline aesthetic.

"Master."

Sora passed Jiang He a towel, and had also prepared a set of expensive silk pajamas.

After helping Jiang He with his pajamas, Sora then headed towards Jiang He's room, blushing as she said very quietly, "Master, I'll warm your bed."

"Shoo!"

Jiang He barked, scowling. "What are you warming? I'm a fire-type Awakened now, why would I be afraid of the cold? Moreover… are you trying to be depraved here?"

Sora hung her head and ran to her bedroom without a word, looking upset like a child.

Still, Jiang He felt rather unsettled as he watched Sora leave.

The only reason he planted a maid was so that she would cook and clean his dishes, tidy the house and wait on him in his daily life. However, she ended up attempting to warm his bed from day until night.

What was she scheming?

Was she trying to seduce him?

Returning to the bedroom…

He took out the new laptop he bought and quickly logged on to Warrior Home.

First, he searched topics on the forum panel that mentioned Orirocks, and found several—there were others who were asking to buy it as well, but had received no response in return.

After musing to himself for a moment, Jiang He wrote another post.

[WTB Orirock, conditions negotiable, mobile number WeChat: 1310953XXXX]

Posting doesn't cost anything, and moreover, what if he got lucky?

After posting, Jiang He searched for information about heritage sites at Warrior Home and found much information, although Jiang He thought that there was nothing reputable or believable about them.

It was soon two in the morning already.

Even so, Jiang He's spirit was overflowing and he felt no fatigue at all. In fact, after turning on his laptop and lying around, he found himself becoming even more spirited.

"What's going on…"

"My quality of sleep is weaker than before? Why can't I fall asleep even at two?"

Jiang He was rather speechless.

Could this be the rumored PTSD?

He had been extremely worried for a while because of the Sky Demon Cult. Had that caused this?

"What a pity…"

"The Sky Demon Cult is too well-hidden that I can't root out this problem for now. Still, their main camp would definitely be crawling with outrageous people, and I would never win with my current ability."

"I'll get some medicine from the pharmacy to condition myself. I remember that there's that tablet pill called Black and White: Take the black during the day to sleep soundly, and take the white at night to refine spirit…"

Jiang He only fell asleep groggily at three in the morning.

However, he had the feeling he had not fall asleep for too long when he heard Sora's voice.

"Master, someone is asking for you."

Still in her maid costume, Sora had already readied some clothes for Jiang He.

"Who is it?"

Jiang He was rather irritated from being woken, and turned around on his bed, picking up his phone to check the time. "It's just twelve and still early," he could not help exclaiming, "Who's not letting me sleep?"

After washing up for a bit, Jiang He went downstairs.

In the living room, Zhou Yu was having a lively chat with Cheng Dongfeng over the living room couch.

When he saw Jiang He coming downstairs, Zhou Yu came to greet him, smiling. "Apologies, Mister Jiang. I'm not aware that you have the habit of taking afternoon naps. I hope you could accommodate me."

He put palm over fist and performed a martial-artist salute, before extending his hand.

Habit of taking afternoon naps?

Jiang He complaint inwardly.

Afternoon nap?

'My sleep quality is so weak that I have to toss and turn in my bed around every night, and still remain insomniac. And you're talking about afternoon naps?'

He would usually sleep until around two in the afternoon before we woke up, and he was too spirited to sleep even if he wanted an afternoon nap around five. He would never fall asleep even if he forced himself!

'I want afternoon naps too, but I just can't fall asleep!'

Jiang He had been a little aggrieved after he was dragged out of his dreamland, but since one should not lay a hand on those who admitted their mistake, he said nothing, and returned Zhou Yu's salute before shaking his hand.

"And you are…?" He then asked uncertainly.

"Allow me to introduce myself. The name's Zhou Yu, deputy to Minister Wang."

Zhou Yu was all smiles. As the eighth best rank-nine in the Hua Nation, he was quite famous in the country. Also, being the deputy of Wang Hou, the 'Hua Nation's Number One', Zhou Yu possessed great authority.

However, Minister Wang tended to be cultivating in seclusion, which was why it was no exaggeration that Zhou Yu had the last word in the Martial Arts Department (MAD).

However, Zhou Yu was quite… humble.

Of course, any elite martial arts scene was the same, but that was especially the case since Zhou Yu always followed Wang Hou around. Still, his personality was more or less influenced in turn, which was why he would demand that Jiang He meet him after returning to Lingzhou City yesterday.

When Duan Tianhe told him that Jiang He did not answer his phone, Zhou Yu knew very well that Jiang He did not want to meet him.

However, Zhou Yu was not angry at all. Instead, he felt jolted inwardly, as if waking from a dream.

He has become bloated.

Setting aside Jiang He's many accomplishments that made him someone who had provided outstanding service, he should be the one visiting Jiang He in the first place since it was Minister Wang's orders: go to Jiang He and examine his depth.

There was no helping it.

Jiang He's accomplishments were simply astounding: killing rank-sevens as a rank-five, killing rank-eights at rank-six, even taking out the Third and Sixth Elders of the Sky Demon Cult. In fact, they were so amazing that they had reached a level that was beyond belief.

That accomplishments alone ought to have Zhou Yu treat Jiang He as an equal already.

Meanwhile, they chatted idly, having a laugh as they took their seats.

But even if Jiang he was all-smiles on the surface, he was very puzzled inwardly…

Deputy Zhou?

Minister Wang?

Who the heck were they? He neither heard of them nor know who they are!

Still, Jiang He was not to be blamed for his ignorance… after all, he was a martial arts newbie who had barely taken the path of cultivation for a month, and there would always be those who complain how could there be such a powerful newbie… Even so, newbies were not to be defined with ability. If it was counted according to work hours, it was still far from the three-month probation period!

And in this single month, he had either been busy 'cultivating' or fighting to death against Sky Demon Cultist. Where would he get the time to learn such things?

Still, after using secret acoustics to converse with Cheng Dongfeng, Jiang He came to a realization.

The look he was giving Zhou Yu changed too.

Zhou Yu…

One of the best rank-nine elites, deputy to Minister Wang, who was in charge of the MAD headquarters and his voice.

Does such a person… have an Orirock?

Moreover, Jiang He's had just mastered the second fold of his Ninefold Thunderblade, just as his cultivation had reached rank-seven advanced. With that leap in ability… he was just thinking about sparring someone.

They chatted for half an hour.

Through the course of the conversation, Zhou Yu flattered Jiang He by multiple times in Wang Hou's stead, and yet the praise was no different from eating wax—it does not help at all.

What use were praises?

It's better to just give me some actual reward.

"Hold on…"

Suddenly, Jiang He remembered something and said, "Deputy Zhou, I remember Chief Duan mentioning that the MAD would soon reward me, and that I could request the reward I wanted?"

"That's right. That indeed happened."

Zhou Yu smiled. "I've came bringing you an inventory of treasures, Mister Jiang. The Minister has spoken: You may pick three of any items listed here!"

Taking the inventory of treasures and scanning them a few times, Jiang He found that the inventory overlaps with the one Mu Wanqiu provided him, and there was no Orirock either.

Jiang He had wanted to shamelessly ask for a few Orirocks, but just as he lowered the inventory, his eyes narrowed at the image of the last page of the inventory.

The image showed a rusted, ancient longsword.

Of course, calling it a sword it was an exaggeration, since it was only half a piece of edge.

There was a line of text beneath written as a simple introduction.

[Broken Nameless Sword]

[Grade undetermined. Excavated from the Sword Sage's heritage site at Mount Hua. Suspected mystic tools fragment.]

Report chapter

Chapter 145: Qi Refinement, Immortal Cultivation

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Mystic item?

Was it a flying sword or something?

Jiang He pointed at the Broken Nameless Sword and said, "I'll have that sword."

There was a look of confusion on Zhou Yu's face as he said, "That is just a broken sword, Jiang He. It's no different from scrap metals and it has nothing unique about it. If it did not steal the limelight of mystic tools, it would never have made the list."

He paused, and then chuckled, "Reasonably speaking, I should be more pleased if the lower the value of the items you've picked. That being said, you have performed great deeds, Jiang He, and I can't watch as you get the worst of it out of a moment of curiosity."

That line certainly left Jiang He with a certain extent of good impression toward Zhou Yu.

So, he would not hold the grudge of disturbing his sleep against Zhou Yu.

Still, having understood a certain something from Zhou Yu's words, Jiang He promptly smiled and asked, "Deputy Zhou, you've mentioned that this broken sword has stolen the limelight of mystic tools… I'm curious, do those mystic items include flying swords and the like?"

"Mystic tools certainly could be understood as mystic items."

Zhou Yu nodded, but soon shook his head, musing, "But that is just an estimation. The existence of that era is not certain."

"And what era is that?"

Jiang He's eyes twinkled. This world was becoming more interesting, and it seemed that there were many secrets in its long history waiting to be uncovered.

Even Cheng Dongfeng appeared interested then, and he smiled. "Deputy Zhou, I've heard from my grandmaster at the Eight Trigrams School mentioned it, but he did not offer further details because my cultivation was low at the time. You should know a lot more since you work with Minister Wang, so do enlighten us."

"Well, that's fine. This isn't exactly a secret for us authorities, so I'll just give you a few pointers since you two are interested."

Smiling, Zhou Yu said, "With the Revival of Qi at the present age, martial arts are in full bloom while others awakened superpowers… but what about the ancient eras?"

"According to the study of certain ancient records, and information from various martial arts clans and schools, martial arts was in full bloom around five to six hundred years ago as well. While the environment was not as compatible for cultivation as it was now, it was not too shabby either, and brought about the birth of many elites."

"Some of those elites left their legacies while others left cavern residences and heritage sites, providing evidence for our studies. The people of the martial world calls it the Old Martial Era."

Cheng Dongfeng eyes widened at that. Impatient, he wanted to urge Zhou Yu on, but he was afraid that Zhou Yu would shoot him down, and so swallowed what he was about to say.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu raised his hand and was about to take a sip of tea, only to find that he was not served any ever since he arrived in Jiang He's mansion.

Jiang He was rather embarrassed.

Guests were guests, and not serving tea was his fault.

Still, only he and Sora were staying in the house and they did not have the habit of drinking tea, just as they did not have any tea leaves. Still, there were some drinks in the fridge, and so Jiang He brought them several bottles.

That being said, there were questions in his mind.

If the environment on Earth was almost as compatible for cultivation as it was now, why did it take a turn for the worse? And how did qi return out of the blue?

Jiang He did not ask that, however, and instead opened a bottle of coke that he handed to Zhou Yu, before sitting down on the couch again to listen.

After having a sip of coke, Zhou Yu then said, "That said, what was the era before the Old Martial Era?"

"An age of immortals?"

Jiang He answered, but Cheng Dongfeng chuckled.

"No, it's not an age of immortals, but the Era of Qi Refinists. My grandmaster had mentioned that such an age might have existed before, but there's no way of verifying its truth."

"That's right."

Zhou Yu echoed. "Miscellaneous history records had mentioned Pre-qin Qi Refinists, but there was no way of confirming it. The so-called qi-refining and immortal cultivation was supposed to be a myth, but with the return of Spirit Qi and the uncovering of several heritage sites, much evidence points to the existence of that era."

"Minister Wang even has a theory that martial arts was derived from qi-refining and immortal cultivation. In fact, with the secret treasures that the divine elites had developed, those were similar to mystic tools and mystic items to a certain extent."

Jiang He did not react at all.

He was not shocked by that piece of information.

Was it that surprising?

He already had a hunch before…

"So, this Broken Nameless Sword… really was a fragment of a mystic item?" Jiang He asked, because that was what he cared more about.

If it really was a fragment of a mystic item, would it not be restored into a flying sword after he planted it?"

Still, Jiang He was uncertain.

After all, whether items of such level could be planted after his farm reached level 4 was still to be seen.

"Minister Wang was the one who brought back the Broken Nameless Sword from the heritage site belonging to Mount Hua's Sword Sage. He claimed that this half a piece of an edge could be a fragment of a mystic item, but did not offer anything certain."

Zhou Yu replied, reluctant to offer any assurances. "I've read through the inventory myself, and I could tell that several items would suit you better and would help you a lot at your current phase. For example, that floral spirit…"

Nonetheless, Jiang He turned down Zhou Yu's goodwill and smiled. "Deputy Zhou, I'm actually more curious about the Broken Nameless Sword. Aside from planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers at home, I'm also interested in studying such rare, weird stuff, so I'll have it. I hope the MAD can transport it to me as soon as possible."

Helpless, Zhou Yu nodded and said, "Well, I won't stop you since you've insisted. Still, there are two more items you could choose, so choose wisely."

Jiang He promptly closed the inventory at that.

Although he was smiling shamelessly, he said rather awkwardly, "Deputy Zhou, could I trade those two picks for something else? I'm quite interested in Orirocks, and I want to get my hands on a few for research."

"Orirocks?"

Zhou Yi's eyes twitched as he frowned. "You can't trade for that. At least five items in this inventory surpass Orirocks in value, but there is no market for Orirocks, just as most who get them would not sell them. Even the MAD… doesn't have many stored."

Slightly disappointed, Jiang He then asked, "Well, would you happen to know where I could get my hands on some? For example, are there any recently discovered heritage sites… or Secret Realms? I heard that the elites of the Old Martial era would leave behind cavern residences, heritages sites or Secret Realms microworlds, and Orirocks could be found there."

"There are six Secret Realms in the Hua Nation, with five being under the control of the five Holy Grounds. The one left is kept under the joint jurisdiction of multiple national departments, and the rule is that it would be opened each season, with the next opening date coming between the twentieth of October and the first of November."

Zhou Yu paused then, before suddenly lowering his voice to a whisper, "But if it's a heritage site, I heard that there might be one within Mount Dadong, and its level is definitely not low. The Graywolf King wouldn't have ascended up beyond rank-nine in such a short time otherwise… although there is no confirmation, but there definitely is a good chance!"

"Are you kidding me!?"

Jiang He was rather speechless.

Mount Dadong?

That was the territory of the Graywolf King. Would you dare to enter even if there really was a heritage site there?

Report chapter

Chapter 146: The Overbearing Minister Wang

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"That's not exactly true. While Mount Dadong is the Graywolf King's territory, but… could Ferals uncover heritage sites?"

Zhou Yu smiled mysteriously, and said, "According to what I know, there are elites who are now in negotiation with the Graywolf King. The only obstacle is that the Sky Demon Cult had made contact with the Feral earlier than we did."

Jiang He's eyes twinkled at that.

Negotiating with a Feral?

What did that even mean?

"What is there to negotiate about?" He could not help exclaiming. "Didn't the Graywolf King ascend only recently? It shouldn't be that strong, could it? Just send some elites to kill it, and all of Mount Dadong would be ours, much less the heritage site."

"It's not that simple. True, we could have killed it when it first ascended, but now… the Feral Kings of other domains would never agree to it, unless it attacked a city like that Ape King of Jinghong City."

Jiang He understood then.

It must be some sort of tacit agreement or contract between the Ferals above rank-nine.

Moreover, Zhou Yu was not keeping that a secret from Jiang He, and even enlightened him about it in detail.

Right now, human elites and Feral Kings certainly had agreed that any individuals above rank-nine must not wage wars on a whim, or rampantly slaughter the weak, and otherwise…

…A divine human was capable of wiping out every Feral an entire territory, just as a Feral King could devastate an entire city.

"Ferals above rank nine are forbidden from slaughtering the weak? That's such a human agreement!"

Surprised, Jiang He laughed out loud. "I'm rank-nine advanced, so I would be in the weak category. Doesn't that mean the Graywolf King wouldn't attack me if he went up Mount Dadong?"

Zhou Yu was rather speechless at that. Even if the Graywolf King really did not attack, how many powerful Ferals live in the uninhabited zone over hundreds of miles around Mount Dadong?

With murderous Ferals as far as the eye could see surrounding you, could a rank-seven advanced like you hope to survive?

"Eh?"

Zhou Yu's eyes bulged at Jiang He and he exclaimed in shock. "What rank did you say you were again? Rank-seven advanced… Are you rank-seven advanced now?"

Beside them, Cheng Dongfeng was equally shocked.

Right after that, a feeling of being powerless struck him…

How many days had it only been?

He was now rank-seven advanced in the blink of an eye?

'I ascended earlier than you did, but I hadn't even stabilized my cultivation… are demons that could cause weird phenomena when he ascends really that horrific?'

On the other hand, Jiang He became embarrassed under their stares, and humbly said, "It's nothing, just a little ascension in ranks. I've simply had the opportunity of getting rank-nine Origin Fluid and several Violet Lingzhi up on Mount Helan, incidentally developing my cultivation…"

When you are weak, you have to consider the logic of your excuses and whether others would believe him. But once you are strong, others would take your word for it even if they obviously knew that it was nonsense.

Moreover, what Jiang He told them was not all nonsense.

He did get Origin Fluid from Mount Helan.

And though he did plant the Violet Flame Lingzhi, he got the seeds from Mount Helan, so did that not indirectly mean that they got it from Mount Helan too?

Zhou Yu nodded.

He was aware that there was a rank-nine floral spirit up in Mount Helan, and he would not interfere since Jiang He had willfully chosen to keep the willow tree alive. Floral spirits couldn't be moved anyway, and it would never threaten humans when it was deep within an old mountain forest.

The Violet Lingzhi that improved cultivation had been discovered before too, and he could only describe Jiang He as lucky for getting his hands on some.

Hence, he advised sincerely and heartfeltly, "Jiang He, there are too many powerful Ferals up on Mount Dadong. Moreover, it is the Graywolf King's territory, and when you intrude within too outrageously, it's no different from provoking it… so, killing it is within the rules."

"Is that so?"

Jiang He was rather troubled

Even so…

All he wanted was several Orirocks. Was leveling up his farm really that difficult?

Still, Jiang He soon found inspiration again and said, "Deputy Zhou, I suddenly found a big loophole in that so-called agreement… since beings above rank-nine are not supposed to fight on a whim, what if a rank-nine would slay the Graywolf King? Does that count as going against the agreement?"

"That's impossible!"

Zhou Yu said without thinking. "It is already extremely rare for a rank-six to turn the tables against a rank-seven in the martial world, but that is still achievable through gaps in different aspects, such as technique and experience. Even you had managed to kill rank-seven grandmasters as a rank-five."

"But… it is absolutely impossible for a rank-nine to kill a Feral King!"

"The gap between the strongest rank-nine and the weakest Feral King is as far as the skies are from the earth… it's simply two different existences."

Jiang He became silent.

However, he did not believe that his idea was impossible. Why couldn't rank-nines kill Feral Kings?

Still, he did not dare to say anything since he had not seen elites above rank-nine in action, just as he was unaware of what moves they have in store.

Soon, Sora had prepared lunch.

Jiang He, however, did not serve his guests with his crops—he had bought many ingredients in his last trip to Lingzhou City.

After their meal, Jiang He was seeing Cheng Dongfeng and Zhou Yu off, when Cheng Dongfeng mysteriously pulled him aside and whispered, "Jiang He, where did you hire that babysitter? Give me a contact method, I'm thinking about hiring one too…"

"Don't you live at the employee hostel of the Martial Arts Department (MAD)? Moreover, I stumbled on her by chance when I was having a stroll."

Jiang He shot Cheng Dongfeng a look of disdain. What a plebian—couldn't he tell the difference between a maid and a babysitter?

Are babysitters that beautiful?

Would babysitters warm your bed?

Hence, Cheng Dongfeng sighed in disappointment. Cutting a sorry figure, he turned and left.

That was when he vaguely heard Jiang He mutter, "Almost forty and still looking for a maid, bleh… an old playboy.

His foot slipped, and he almost dropped to the ground.

He turned to glare at Jiang He.

' So what if I'm forty?

'I'm still single. What's wrong with getting a pretty maid?'

Taking the driver's seat, Cheng Dongfeng drove out of the village.

In the backseat, Zhou Yu smiled and asked, "Old Cheng, what's your impression about Jiang He?"

Cheng Dongfeng thought about it for half a day before offering an opinion which he thought to be fair. "The kid's young and has a bright future ahead. He is powerful and possesses an almost demonic talent, and although sometimes there's no telling what he's thinking, he is still young. It's normal for him to have a special way of thinking."

Zhou Yu nodded but said nothing.

Almost no one was aware that aside from being an elite rank-nine, he was also an Awakened. The superpower he awakened was very unique too, and was identical to Wang Siyu's, in fact…

Because it was mind-reading!

As a matter of fact, Minister Wang sent him here to scout out Jiang He's depth.

Be that as it may, after chatting for almost two hours…

He found nothing.

He had used his mind-reading skill dozens of times, almost draining himself dry in spirit…

And his mind-reading was A-class.

Rarely anyone beneath rank-nine could avoid Zhou Yu's reading. But for Jiang He to do so, it meant that his spirit was not weaker than a rank-nine.

Meanwhile.

The Tantra, the Western Border.

The Tantra had always been a quiet group. Their school kept to themselves in the mountains where other people rarely show up, and some Tantras like to call their own Holy Grounds the Diamond Realm.

At the same time, the Secret Realm of Tantra was known as the Womb Realm.

"Diamond Realm, Womb Realm…"

Wang Hou was standing on the limestone stairs over the mountain in a white jersey. As he climbed up, he couldn't help chuckling. "It's said that the Tantra is divided into two factions: one being the Diamond Realm and the other Womb realm, but now it's clear that's nonsense. Isn't it just the respective names for their own school and the Secret Realm?"

At the other end of the stairs concealed by mists, obscuring the mountaintop.

Suddenly, an ancient figure appeared.

He was wearing a hemp cloth like a monk, although there were no vow marks on his head, only inch-long hair.

It was as if he walked out of thin air.

Then, holding a palm before his chest and bowing lightly at Wang Hou, he said, "The head monk knows why you've come, Minister Wang. Apologies, but please return."

"Oh?"

Wang Hou laughed. His foot moved and he abruptly appeared right in front of the man, and slapped out one palm viciously.

Boom!

It was as if the sky would collapse.

The man felt as if heaven and earth were contracting and collapsing as it crashed down towards him. Nonetheless, charging what he had trained, golden light shone from his body… and yet, in the next split second, he was sent flying backward, puking blood as he returned to the mist.

Meanwhile, Wang Hou stood. As he sensed the veins of consciousness extending out of thin air to study him, he flatly said, "I'm here personally to visit, and you lot are turning me down?"

"Won't I lose first??"

Then, he leisurely whipped out his phone and dialed a number.

"General Li, be prepared for bombardment. If something unexpected happens to me, flatten Tantra's Diamond Realm before all else."

"It's fine. Is there anyone within hundreds of miles of this place?

"Moreover, don't you know what the situation is?

"The Ferals are everywhere and plaguing humanity, while the demons from beyond the skies and other extraterrestrial factions are watching us. It's either us or them, so what's so terrifying about several nukes? Just wait for my orders…"

"Wang Hou!"

Someone bellowed in rage in the mist then. "You've taken this too far! Do you think the Tantra would fear an ignorant child like you, after having stood for a thousand years?"

Boom!

The mist split.

The one who spoke fell while puking blood, with Wang Hou pressing him into a mountain wall with one palm while holding his phone with the other, saying, "Alright, alright, I'll hang up…"

"You're a general. Why are you mumbling on like an old woman?"

"Like I've said, I've made a breakthrough with my cultivation. I might be able to subjugate Tantra alone without nuclear bombardment…"

Wang Hou hung up then, and his aura abruptly changed.

Stepping on thin air as he leapt high above, he sneered, "Tantra is within this country borders, and now that trouble has come, you lot are locking your doors and sealing the mountain. I may have spared your ilk before because I couldn't win, and now… you are even going to turn down a meeting?"

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Chapter 147: Do You Have Treasures That Promotes Longevity and Detoxes?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Arrogant brat!"

Echoes of angry shouts reverberated from the mist as powerful auras arose, followed by multiple attacks unleashed, striking towards Wang Hou.

Wang Hou's aura stirred in response, repelling every strike.

Then, he raised his palm and ripped the mist apart by force, exposing the many imposing buildings that stood atop the mountain.

The mist… was actually a trick of the eye, protecting Tantra's Holy Grounds from being discovered by mortal humans.

Laughing, Wang Hou continued stepping over thin air to land before a temple.

"And here I was thinking that the monastery of Tantra had some profound guiding precept since it was known as the Diamond Realm and all, but now it looks like it's just a name."

Many of Tantra's elites were standing before him.

Younger disciples stood at his sides.

Tantra was a Buddhist school, and their elites as well as disciples were naturally mostly shaved monks with vow marks, although some did not have the mark despite being dressed like a monk.

Clearly, the Tantras' so-called sealing the mountain was not performed in the literal sense. Where would have they gotten their younger disciples if the mountain really was closed off?

And now, many of the Tantras' auras were raging as they glared at Wang Hou. The powerful hidden trainings of the Tantra brewed within their bodies, and they were ready to attack at full strength at any given moment. Even so, Wang Hou was not concerned at all, as if it had nothing to do with him.

He looked up towards the main temple, laughing. "Does the head monk really refuse to see me?"

"Amitabha!"

A distant Buddhist chant resounded form within the temple then, and was followed by an old voice, "Come in, Mister Wang."

Wang Hou entered the temple, and the doors closed with a loud boom by themselves.

He looked around, and found that the interior of the temple grew darker and darker until it became pitch-black. One would not find their fingers in here, and Wang Hou could not see further than three feet despite his vision, and even his spirit was restrained.

The corner of his brow twitched then as he thought in astonishment, "What the heck? Is that geezer-who-can't-die really that powerful? I might not win against him, damn it…"

He wanted to retreat by instinct.

But now that things had come to this, he had to steel himself and keep going.

Laughing, Wang Hou calmly said, "Fine cultivation, head monk!"

He couldn't afford to panic!

If he did, wouldn't his overbearing character fall apart?

He strode forward without caring if there was any ground ahead or if he was running into a wall ahead. He simply kept walking by instinct as if having a stroll in the park.

There was no telling how long had passed. It felt at once like an instant and an hour.

That was when the darkness suddenly parted, and a golden holy radiance appeared at the edge of the darkness. Wang Hou looked up to find a dry, shriveled figure sitting cross-legged beneath the aura.

He was wearing a bright-yellow kasaya1 that bares one shoulder. His visage, filled with wrinkles, was ancient and his eyes milky. From his appearance alone, one would think that he would fall down from a poke, and yet, Wang Hou could feel qi and power that was as vast as the ocean.

"The Tantra is said to have a lost art known as the Dragon Elephant Prajna. There are thirteen tiers, but one would be buffed with the strength of a dragon and an elephant once learnt. This geezer-who-can't-die must have mastered it."

Even as the thought crossed Wang Hou's mind, he offered the old monk a fist-palm salute. "Head Monk, Wang Hou, at your service."

"Please sit, Mister Wang."

When the old monk opened his mouth, one could see that he barely had any teeth left!

Wang Hou only left the temple after two hours, his hands clasped behind his back as he stepped over thin air with an incredibly smug aura. As he stood outside the Diamond Realm, he calmly said, "Head monk, I will send someone to make a copy of the secret martial arts text you've promised me."

"Even if allowing only three persons into your Secret Realm is too few, I will follow the ground rules you have set. Anyone who could enter shall be granted permission. If they couldn't… well, I won't have anything against that."

"And the elites of Tantra must be brought out into the world, to protect the country and its people."

Wang Hou's voice echoed over all directions before he left.

And when he was gone, the temple doors opened again, and the skinny head monk stepped out alongside an old man who looked about to die as well.

"Head monk!"

A group of monks approached them, with a divine elite speaking out, "Head monk, the Tantra school has stood for a thousand years—why should we fear an arrogant brat like Wang Hou? You may have granted him an audience out of benevolence eight years ago, and yet he bit the hands that fed him, fighting this way to the Diamond Realm!"

The head monk smiled and turned towards the one who spoke. "Eight years ago, when Wang Hou first reached the boundary of the divine, the flick of your finger alone had defeated him. Now that he could overwhelm you with a turn of his palm, is that not enough?"

"Head monk!"

The one who spoke wanted to say something else but stopped with a pained expression.

He was the monk wearing a kasaya but bearing inch-long hair. Standing at a towering height of one point nine meters, his figure certainly resembles a beast. With his thick brows, large eyes, and beard, he had the bearing of one of Mount Liang's gentlemen.

Meanwhile, the head monk had looked up towards the horizon, a profound radiance showing in his milky eyes then.

All those years ago, his martial arts predecessors had forged the Stargate with their very own bodies to seal the skies, preventing Earth from being invaded by otherworldly beings.

Have those otherworldly beings started coveting Earth again?

Withdrawing his gaze, the head monk somberly said, "Notify all elders to convene. We shall discuss the matters of sending our disciples out into the world and opening our Secret Realm. Additionally, make a copy of all the lost arts of Tantra—save for the secret legacies from the founder—and send it to Wang Hou.

"Tantra is within the Hua Nation's borders, and we are her citizens. If we don't contribute a little… Wang Hou would not abide by us!"

At those words, the head monk couldn't help laughing.

Wang Hou… was quite something.

How old was Wang Hou when the head monk was assured that he could easily overwhelm him?

He was forty, tops, whereas the head monk himself was hundreds of years old, and not far from the grand limit.

A clearing, hundred miles away from 'Diamond Realm', the holy grounds of the Tantra school.

Wang Hou descended from the skies above, and strode into a temporarily built 'command center'.

General Li, in his military uniform came to meet him, the worried look on his face receding as he asked, "How did it go? What did the head monk say?"

The five holy grounds have a long history and hold much depth. If they could step out into the world, send their elites to suppress the Ferals wreaking havoc everywhere, they would greatly lighten the pressure which the Hua Nation was facing, relieving the military considerably so that they would not have to keep their nukes at arm's reach to intimidate the Feral Kings.

Wang Hou looked around.

General Li waved his hand, and the others quickly left the room.

Then, a spirit power extended, isolating the command center.

Frowning, General Li said, "Isn't this unnecessary, Old Wang? Only military elites and top-level officials could come close to this spot, and we don't have to keep this from them."

"Keep, my foot!"

Wang Hou's upright gait suddenly slumped as he dropped on a chair, rubbing his belly as he cursed, "Hell, I almost didn't make it back. Even if that head monk is basically lifeless, he has actually reached Void-pinnacle. The plans we made beforehand wouldn't have been of use at all."

General Li was stunned.

The plan…

Yes.

Wang Hou had definitely drafted a plan.

It was simple and straightforward: Wang Hou would knock down their door and fight his way in with his martial arts, while using the intimidation of nuclear might to force the five holy grounds to yield.

However, it had only been days since Wang Hou reached the Void…

But with the other guy being a Void-pinnacle, what would his intimidation by force achieve?

Laughing bitterly, he said, "So, it's a bust?"

"Nope, I managed."

Wang Hou smiled. "I had to change the plan in the spur of the moment and appeal to emotion. The head monk was reasonable enough to agree to some of my little requests."

General Li was delighted, but soon scowled again, "If that's so, we don't have to visit the other holy grounds now, do we? According to our theory, Tantra was supposedly the weakest of the five…"

If a Void-pinnacle suddenly popped up in the weakest Holy Ground, the other Holy Grounds could well have a Zero-Void elite. If there really was one, said elite could destroy a city with a slap, let alone nuclear intimidation."

"Of course I'm going!"

Wang Hou rose to his feet, his overbearing presence still peerless. Even so, his tone was slightly miserable as he said, "Still, we need a change of tactics. I'll visit them personally, and I could be subtle if necessary. What if I could convince them by appealing to emotion?"

At the same time, Jiang He had just finished dinner.

After that, he had stepped out into the yard to groom the flourishing willow tree and checked whether grasses had grown over the graves yet, when a call reached him.

He took a look at the number…

It was unknown.

He answered.

"Hello, I've seen your post on the Warrior Home forum. You've mentioned you want Orirocks?"

A voice of a middle-aged person spoke from the other end of the call, cutting straight to the point.

"Yes."

Jiang He replied, and asked in return, "Do you have Orirocks for sale?"

The voice became silent for seconds before saying, "I do have Orirocks, but I'm trading it for items and not selling. Do you have any items that promote longevity and detoxes?"

"Yes, I have the items you want."

Delighted, Jiang He said, "Well, it depends on whether you have enough Orirocks, and everything is good if that's the case."

Could he be that lucky?

Were Orirocks not unmarketable? And yet managed to catch a seller by just posting?

It had literally fallen right into his lap.

The voice on the other end appeared delighted too, and quickly said, "What's the item you have that promotes longevity? The Nine Orifice Lotus? The Golden Lotus of Tianshan? How much of one's lifespan could it increase? And what is that detox item? Would it work against the venom of the Six-Eyed Desert Spider?"

"…"

Jiang He became quiet.

The Nine Orifice Lotus?

The Golden Lotus of Tianshan?

Those items were too profound, although he did see them in Zhou Yu's inventory of treasures. Still, there only photos and introductions—the Martial Arts department does not have stock, but they were the two rare floral spirits that extends lifespan being studied right now.

As for the Six-Eyed Desert Spider…

While he had not heard of it, Jiang He knew about the six-eyed sand spider, having watched a TV program about it. It was tiny—its body was only around 10mm while its legs stretched up to 60mm, but its venom was extremely lethal, and an adult could die from its bite if medical treatment was not administered in time.

"So, the Six-Eyed Desert Spider is a Feral evolved from the six-eyed sand spider…"

Asking since he was unsure, Jiang He asked, "The venom must be lethal, right?'

Then, he laughed, "But that's fine. I have a divine antidote —cucumber!"

"…"

There was silence from the other end of the call, before the person asked slightly angrily, "Then what's that treasure of yours which extends lifespan?"

"Eggplant."

Jiang He replied earnestly. "Not only does it promote longevity, it eases swells and stops bleeding too… wait… hello, hello? Hello?"

What the heck!

Jiang He was a little speechless.

I was just getting to the good part, why did you hang up on me?

You must be sick in the head!

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Chapter 148: How To Earn Farm Points Rapidly

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Mental!"

Jiang He cursed. He walked up to the graves where Dumbo and Trumbo were lying upon and snoring away. Unfortunately, there was no grass growing over the graves.

Casually grabbing a handful of blended qi pellets, Jiang He chewed slowly on them.

The days when he could not farm were such a bore.

"There might be a heritage site on Mount Dadong. Should I go there?"

Jiang He mused to himself for a long time, but eventually gave up on that idea.

Mount Dadong was too dangerous!

One must be practical in doing things!

Though he was confident that he could retreat unscathed from any rank-nine, he was not sure if he could survive a Feral King.

"I'm rank-seven advanced and there's a lot of room for improvement. If push comes to shove, I could wait until I reach rank-eight or nine." Jiang He said, leaving his farm while taking out more blended qi pellets.

Truly…

The blended qi pellets were several times better and tastier than the qi pellets. Three million dollars per pill was not expensive to Jiang He either, and he would feel unsettled if he did not eat at least thirty of those pellets per day.

Returning inside his mansion, he took a bath.

Then, Jiang He went back to his bedroom, logged in to Warrior Home, and started browsing.

This time, he set his sights on rank-nine Ferals, since leveling up his farm still required two portions of rank-nine Feral flesh.

In the Western Xia province, most rank-nine Ferals were concentrated on Mount Dadong, but with its Feral King there, Jiang He had to set his sights outside the province. Still, after searching through the forum panel, he did find many posts about rank-nine Ferals.

[Shock! The Monster of Lake Qinghai spotted. It's as massive as an ancient crocodile, and is a suspected rank-nine Feral!]

[The white-snake I rescued actually evolved into a rank-nine Feral!]

[13th of September, 2019. Luoyang City was struck by a wave of Ferals. The military and many martial artists bled in battle, before Pei Dongshan, the military's elite slew the purple-eyed giant ape, a rank-nine Feral and repelled the Feral wave…]

The posts about rank-nine Ferals were often tragic, with county cities suffering their attacks which left thousands of deaths in their wake, including martial artists and Awakened…

However, there were many posts that left Jiang He fuming.

For example, the one who posted [The white-snake I rescued actually evolved into a rank-nine Feral!] even showed off a photo of herself and the snake. The beast was as thick as it was humongous, just as the chick was as beautiful as she was hot.

Was she trying to stage a new gender bent version of the White Snake Legend?

Could she be a lesbian too?

Another post was even more outrageous, claiming that a nephew's poodle evolved after being mistakenly fed a goldfish from a pool of sacred lotus, becoming a…

Rank-nine poodle?

Whether others would believe it, Jiang He would doubt it regardless.

Most post tend to use adjectives such as 'alleged', 'suspected', and 'rumored', which offered no confirmation regarding rank-nine Ferals. After all, such creatures were extremely intelligent, and tend to live within mountain forests.

And following the Revival of Qi, there was no way normal martial artists could venture into those areas, which makes the obtaining of actual information difficult.

Still, after browsing through the posts for half an hour, Jiang He finally got something.

"The Chongming Island at the Yangtze Delta… the rank-nine Black King Drake?"

As most were aware, Ferals above rank nine were often dubbed as kings, although from the posts, Jiang He generally understood why the creature was named the Black King Drake.

For one, it had brute strength and ruled over a wide span of wildlands, and appeared to command other rank-nines as well as hordes of rank-eights and sevens.

Secondly, the post seemed to have been reuploaded from another site. The real date was May, making it four-months-old, and at the time, the title Feral Kings were still obscure and not commonly used.

"Black King Drake?"

"A powerful rank-nine Feral that rules over other rank-nines…"

"The only drawback here is that it's too far. The Yangtze Delta is all the way out at Jiangnan…"

"Eh?"

"Auction?"

Suddenly, Jiang He shifted his gaze.

He had seen another post, and the gist seemed to be that several martial arts clans and factions in the martial world with years of history were organizing an auction in Jiangnan City. The items on sale included cultivation manuals, weapons, floral spirits, young Ferals, Feral eggs, and even Oricrocks.

But of course.

With the Revival of Qi and the popularization of martial arts, those items would eventually have become a giant cake of profits, and the smart ones were already on the move.

Incidentally, the auction would be held at Jiangnan.

"The auction date is the first of October? There are still a few days, and I could use the time to cultivate, earn farm points, and improve my abilities. The post did mention that the Black King Drake is one of the strongest rank-nine Ferals in the Hua Nation, so I have to prepare."

Closing his laptop, Jiang He jumped off his bed.

Sleep?

Heck no!

He was brimming with vigor and not drowsy at all.

"What's the quickest way to earn Farm Points?"

"That would be blended qi pellets, but I've planted all ten pellets that I've bought, and the ones grown can't be replanted as seeds…"

After pondering a lot, Jiang He decided to plant the gold bricks.

Each tree planted would yield a hundred gold ingots, meaning 1000 Farm Points per harvest. If he just planted another five hundred trees, would he not be invincible?

"That's right, planting gold bricks would be best!

"Otherwise, the Farm Points from gold brakes would be greatly reduced when my farm levels up. Even if there would be an excess of EXP if I plant now, excess are excesses—it wouldn't matter."

"I'll buy some gold tomorrow morning!"

Sichuan.

Old Tai'an, beneath the foot of Mount Qingcheng.

Reasonably speaking, a small town like Old Tai'an that was so close to Mount Qingcheng should have been evacuated long ago, what with Ferals flooding mountainous areas following the Revival of Qi. However, the truth was that Tai'an was perfectly peaceful, with countless rich folks wanting to buy a property there at astronomical prices.

After all, there was a lack of Ferals in Mount Qingcheng.

Still, it not as if there were none.

In fact, there were two giant snakes: one white and one cyan, but they never hurt humans.

After all, they were the divine guardians of Mount Qingcheng.

As a matter of fact, Mount Qingcheng was one of Hua Nation's five holy grounds, sharing the honor with the Tantra of the West, the Martial Arts Hall of Wudang Clan, the Shaolin Temple of Mount Shaoshi, and the Jiang Clan of the Yellow Emperor's Tomb.

And at the moment, the lights were all on in a rather traditionally-style courtyard house at the center of Old Tai'an.

Plates marked with the words 'Lin Residence' were placed on the various entrances.

It was a famous residence in Old Tai'an, as well as various circles of martial artists.

The Lin Clan of Tai'an reigned over Sichuan. Long Mountain Lin, the clan leader was a rank-nine elite who ranked amongst the best rank-nines of the Hua Nation, and an individual who had grasped Sword Will.

And yet, he was now lying sprawled over his bed.

He was utterly unconscious, his face pitch-black and his face extremely weak.

The disciples of the Lin Clan, as well as Long Mountain Lin's sons, grandsons, and granddaughters were standing by his bed.

All of Long Mountain Li's progeny were learned in the martial arts, and now, even his youngest grandson was already twenty. Of his six sons, three were martial arts grandmasters, whereas his thirteen daughters and fourteen granddaughters were successful in the military, in commerce or in science and development. In fact, the most outstanding grandson was rank-seven grandmaster.

A middle-aged man entered the room then, and everyone else quickly approached him.

"Eldest Brother!"

"Eldest Uncle!"

"How did it go?"

The middle-aged man's qi was strong and possessed an abundant aura. His name was Lin Tianzheng, a rank-eight and the chief of the Sichuan Martial Arts Department (MAD).

Nonetheless, he smiled, shaking his head. "It's all nonsense, something about cucumbers detoxing and eggplants extending lifespan… if we weren't talking over the phone, I would have slapped him already!"

"Father, there are all sorts of people on the forums. Don't hold out too much hope for them—after all, grandfather was poisoned by a Six-Eyed Desert Spider, and he had been burning out on his Innate Qi and essence, consuming much of his lifespan."

Lin Tianzheng's son said then. "You are a ranked official in the MAD, you should put in a request with them, and if push comes to shove…"

"I'll appeal for an antidote on Mount Qingcheng!"

Lin Tiangzheng answered, forcing a smile. "Most of the floral spirits and novelties discovered these days are specifically used to help cultivation, qi, and spirit. Treasures that extend lifespan and detoxes had always been rare and the MAD does not have stock. I've even asked around at the Superpower Research Department, but it seems that they are helpless against your grandfather's condition."

"As for Mount Qingcheng…"

Lin Tianzheng looked up at the mountain then, breathing a long sigh. "Your grandfather always felt that he had betrayed them. Even if they are willing to help, your grandfather might be too ashamed to live even if he was revived.

"That said, the Murong Clan, Long Clan, and Wei Clan had organized an auction over at Jiang Nan, and it seems poised to be a major event. I'm prepared to pay it a visit, and try to get my hands on anything that could help."

In that very instant.

Boom!

A tremendous rumble broke out in the dark night. Lin Tianzheng and the others all reacted, darting up on the roof and looking up at Mount Qingcheng from afar.

They found a human figure clashing against a gigantic cyan serpent.

Repelling the snake with a single palm, the man shouted thunderously, "So, the Qingcheng Faction is really turning me down?"

"I've come with sincerity, but none of you would give me face?"

Laughing coldly, Wang Hou turned to leave, arrogantly declaring, "I've learnt martial arts since I was ten, rising to grandmaster even before the Revival of Qi and thereby becoming a part of the government in service of the country. Having gained the legacies of three major heritage sites, cultivating any technique and martial arts is as simple as eating and drinking for me. Now, I'm ascending by a minor boundary each month and a major one every six months, and having reached the Void, it wouldn't be long. Five years, at most, and I would flatten Mount Qingcheng!"

Back at the Lin Clan.

On the roof, everyone traded glances, with someone muttering, "Eldest brother, that voice… is very familiar."

Lin Tianzheng appeared surprised, and exclaimed, "Did Minister Wang… fight his way up Mount Qingcheng?"

After all, Clan Li had connections with Mount Qingcheng.

"Isn't Chief Wang being overbearing?" Someone whispered then. "Would Mount Qingcheng fear him with their long history?"

But even before he finished, he saw a figure stepping into the air and out of Mount Qingcheng, heading straight for the direction where Wang Hou left. "Please wait, Minister Wang, let's talk about this…"

Ah…

The Lin Clan disciple did a double take.

That was all it took?

Yielding, just like that?

Chapter 149: Meeting Wang Siyu Again

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Eight in the morning, the 27th of September.

Duan Tianhe, who had worked overnight stretched his body and took a sip of warm tea from his thermos flask.

Pfft!

Spitting out the wolfberry he inadvertently drank, he then checked the time and headed to the bed of the small room adjacent to his office.

He could afford himself a two-hour-rest with the matters at hand seen to.

For him, sleep was now already a luxury given the exceedingly numerous task he had to do every day.

However, just as he was about to fall asleep, a WeChat video call arrived.

It was Jiang He.

Circulating his True Qi to dispel his drowsiness, Duan Tianhe sat up on his bed, answered the call, and chuckled, "It's still way too early in the morning, Jiang He. Why are you calling me?"

"What do you mean, early?"

Over at the end of the call, Jiang He was sitting crossed-legged on his sports car, a piece of bread in one hand and a cup of milk in the other. "It's already eight and the sun's rising. How is that early?"

The corner of Duan Tianhe's lips twitched.

'That line feels weird when you're the one who says it, Jiang He… you sleep until wake up naturally every single day, and still complain that your sleep is terrible. Do you want the life of a person like me, who works 24 hours per day?'

On the other hand, Jiang He did not care for all that.

He took a bite out of his bread and had a sip of milk, even as his sports car continued on steadily with its unmanned system.

Staring at his phone which he kept on the phone holder, he asked, "Old Duan, well… does the Martial Arts Department (MAD) have gold?"

"Gold?"

Duan Tianhe shook his head, saying, "You should need to head to the jewelry shop for that stuff. Why would the MAD have gold?"

"Fine."

Jiang He then added, "Has Deputy Zhou returned? When would the three rewards I picked be sent to me?"

In fact, he made this call mainly for this matter.

The awards Jiang He had picked was the mystic item 'Broken Sword', a rank-seven floral spirit that aided spirit… and a handful of sunflower seeds!

The sunflower seeds were the same ones that Mu Wanqiu had promised him.

It was said that the MAD and the Superpower Research Department had jointly discovered the sunflower, harvested it, and split it between them. Knowing that sunflower seeds were easily carried around and could be eaten anytime, anywhere, Jiang He thought that having more would be better.

"Deputy Zhou had returned. I'll urge him if you're in a hurry."

"I'll be counting on you then, Chief Duan."

Jiang He was not being particularly polite.

What was there to be polite about his own award?

Hence, he continued to drive down to Lingzhou City. Interestingly, he was stopped again—and by the same traffic policeman last time. This time, however, he did not say much, and smiled, "Mister Jiang, may I take a picture with you?"

"You know me?"

Jiang He was rather taken aback.

Nonetheless, he got down and took a selfie with the traffic policeman, who saluted him primly after he returned inside, saying, "Thank you for everything you've done for Lingzhou City, Mister Jiang."

Tapping his chest, he then assured him, "From today onwards, your car may go on any lane you want. I've contacted my colleagues in various divisions so that they remember your car and plate number."

Despite his delight, Jiang He said, "That's not good, is it? I don't have a license… and I don't have a car plate either!"

The traffic policeman came to a realization then.

That's true, how was he supposed to note the plate number when there was no plate?

After thinking about it, the traffic policeman suggested, "Could you give me your number, Mister Jiang? I'll help you solve the matter of car plates and driving license."

"No way!"

Jiang He said reasonably, "You are a public servant of the traffic division. How could you break the law in my stead?"

Was he joking?

And would this car need a license anyway?

As a matter of fact, Jiang He wanted to change cars.

Aside from having every function he could think of when he is in the driver's seat, there was nothing good about this car. And what good were its Transformers mode, Vulcan minigun, and laser sword? It was only a rank seven.

It did not run faster than himself either.

"Maybe I should plant a plane?"

"Forget it, planes are too dangerous and it's said that there are too many flying Ferals, which would make planes an easy target… The broken fragment of the flying sword might be better though, although there is no telling whether I could plant it. If it does, I would move around on it."

Soon, Jiang He parked his sports car outside a shop named 'Old Prosperous Phoenix'. Interestingly, there was a 'Blissful Zhou', which sold gold and jewelry too.

They must have just opened since there were no customers inside. The workers there were yawning away, and clearly did not have a good night's sleep.

That left Jiang He feeling earnest envy.

Just look at them, being so drowsy and looking as if they could sleep at any moment if they were given a bed. He on the other hand was brimming with spirit every day, and could only doze off after staying up to four in the morning.

Suddenly, a gasp of surprise could be heard.

"Wow, that man's so handsome!"

All at once, the entire jewelry shop was abuzz.

A group of female attendants who had been yawning incessantly had twinkles in their eyes, winking at Jiang He flirtatiously when they saw the sports car he had parked outside.

Jiang He quietly put on a disposable mask in response and cut straight to the point. "Where's your boss? Tell him to come."

In no time at all, a pudgy middle-aged man came to him.

Skipping to the point again, Jiang He asked, "What's the price of gold now? How much do you have stored? I want everything… by the way, only pure gold!"

The middle-aged man appeared taken aback, and said, "We have over three thousand pure-gold jewelry items…"

"Don't tell me how many there are. Just count it by catties."

Jiang He waved him off, saying, "I'm very busy, so count it right away. I'll have every piece of pure gold you have and would buy them according to market value—no worries, I wouldn't miss a cent."

With that, he stepped out of Old Prosperous Phoenix and went to Blissful Zhou and asked for the same thing.

Gold prices had inflated severely with the 'chaos' at the moment, and was now priced at 500 dollars per gram, which meant a catty of gold was worth 250,000 dollars.

Later, Jiang He managed to gather 90 catties of pure gold jewelry, including necklaces, rings, earrings, and bangles.

Having enough gold, what was next was melting it down.

That was easy.

Jiang He drove off to the MAD, found the old blacksmith and asked with a smile, "Old man, I'm here again. I have something I need your help with."

As he spoke, he whipped out a pack of cigarettes and passed him two fine beers.

The old man did not accept it, however, saying that Duan Tianhe had instructed him not to charge Jiang He.

Jiang He chuckled. "It's not much, old-timer. These beers and cigarettes don't cost much, and it's a token of my gratitude… I won't ask for your help if you don't accept them."

As such, the old blacksmith had to receive it.

Hence, Jiang He poured out the pile of pure-gold jewelry on the floor, saying, "Please help me smelt this gold into gold bullions, one catty each."

The blacksmith gaped and could not help exclaiming, "Did you go on a grand theft auto?"

"How much could I even earn from robbery?"

Jiang He was at a loss for words.

In fact, how much cash could he steal even if he robbed a bank?

For him, killing Ferals and planting some crops were more profiting than robbing banks now.

"That's true. You are Jiang He, after all… why would you need to steal?"

The old man lit one of the cigarettes and took a few puffs as he quickly built a mold. Then, with a wave of his hand, a pitch-black hammer rose to the air…

Whoosh!

The flames over the hammer ignited, quickly melting the jewelry into liquid gold.

Under the old man's control, it was then poured into the mold and forming one bullion after another.

Jiang He stood at the doorway and had a cigarette himself, when a gasp of surprise could be heard, "Mister Jiang?"

Jiang He turned, frowning.

It was a beautiful woman with a fine figure wearing a tracksuit. She had black-rimmed glasses and looked quite familiar, although Jiang He could not remember what her name was just then.

"And you would be…?"

The tracksuit beauty appeared displeased and snorted. "Hmph. Important people really have short memories, don't they? Mister Jiang…"

"Oh…"

Jiang He slapped himself on the forehead, saying, "Well, if it isn't Chief Wu? I couldn't recognize you with your clothes on."

Pfft.

In his work space, the old blacksmith almost laughed out loud.

Wu Yueru stamped her feet at that and spat, "Bleh, what a thug!"

She turned and stormed off.

"What the heck?"

Jiang He was utterly confused.

'Was it something I said?

'I didn't say anything wrong, did I?

'You've always been dressed in office lady fashion and could not be sexier, though now I couldn't recognize you when you suddenly put on a tracksuit.'

Another set of laughter could be heard then, and Jiang He turned to find Wang Siyu standing beneath a willow tree nearby.

When she saw that Jiang He was looking at her, she lowered her head by reflex, tucking her hair behind her ear.

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Chapter 150: Bezoar Detox Pills?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Have you had your breakfast yet?"

"I did. What about you?"

"Me too. What did you have?"

"Ramen. What about you?"

"…"

A gentle breeze billowed. The branches of the willow tree in the greenbelt of the Martial Arts Department (MAD) swayed in its wake as Jiang He and Wang Siyu stood next to each other beneath it. After an awkward exchange, a silence followed.

When their gazes met seconds later, they could not help laughing, amused by their exchange.

Studying Wang Siyu, Jiang He smiled. "Well done. Your qi is almost rank two now… it seems you have been hard at work with your cultivation."

"Wasn't really cultivating, actually…"

Chagrined, Wang Siyu replied. "Didn't you give me those rank-six Feral Wolf meat? I've been having it every day, and work out a little afterwards so I wouldn't get fat… and this is how I ended up."

Jiang He understood then.

The meat of rank-six Ferals contained overflowing qi. Exercising after consumption would speed up the absorption of its qi, strengthening the person's qi in return.

And being a psych-type Awakened, it made sense that Wang Siyu's absorption was quicker.

Meanwhile, they continued their conversation as they stood beneath the tree, talking about their daily lives. Halfway through the conversation, however, Wang Siyu's tone changed and she said, "There's a rumor floating around the MAD recently, claiming that you've got yourself a babysitter from somewhere, and that she's quite hot."

???

"Which buster said that?" Jiang He seethed.

Wang Siyu was feeling bitter inside, but maintained a nonchalant look as she smiled. "It's not bad, actually, although some male colleagues were envious and jealous sometimes during their private conversations."

"What is there to be envious or jealous about?"

Jiang He retorted flatly. "All I did is get myself a maid to cook more me and clean the house and dishes… by the way, Wang Siyu, where did our village move too?"

Jiang He then told her about his intention to buy the yards of his neighbors.

From the novels he had read, the surface of his farm would definitely expand after the farm level increased, and would not always remain one Mu… or he wouldn't have anywhere to plant larger Feral Kings that he was going to slay in the future.

Even if the farm area would not expand, he could level the yard around and plow more land for his plantation, growing various flora that creates an otherworldly paradise.

"Please help me talk to my neighbors. They could ask for any price they like, since money is like toilet paper to me now."

After a few more words, Wang Siyu then said, "I have some matters to attend to for now. Anyway, I'll come to see you at your house after I've helped you with that."

Watching as Wang Siyu left, Jiang He returned inside the blacksmith's workshop to find that all ninety catties of gold had been smelted with utmost precision into ninety gold bullions.

Putting away the hammer he always conjured, the old blacksmith said, "There's been some gold lost in the smelting process. The last bullion is just around seven taels (one catty equals to 16 taels)."

"It's fine."

Jiang He put away the gold bullions and said his thanks. But just as he was about to leave the workshop—

"Jiang He!"

Nearby, both Mu Wanqiu and Wu Yueru were approaching him.

Surprisingly, Mu Wanqiu was wearing the same brand of tracksuit as Wu Yueru, hugging her body and accentuating her figure."

"Your sunflower seeds would arrive around the afternoon. There's fourteen of them, and I'll send it to your house when it comes."

"By the way, didn't you mention you need Orirocks?"

"I did ask around for you… and it seems that the Lin clan of Sichuan has some and are willing to trade for it. They want treasures that could promote longevity and detoxes, so I could help you reach out to them if you have those items."

"The Lin clan of Sichuan? Promote longevity and detoxes?"

Was that not the person who called him last night? Jiang He thought.

It was just that he hung up halfway through their conversation.

Still, Jiang He did not mention that, since it was embarrassing to hang up on someone.

"What's going on? How did the Lin clan get their hand on those Orirocks?"

"The Lin clan of Sichuan is famous in the martial world," Mu Wanqiu smiled as she explained. "Although they would not compare to martial clans of extensive legacies, they are not short of elites, with five grandmasters in their family alone—one rank-nine, one rank-eight, and three rank-sevens!"

"Long Mountain Lin, their clan leader was said to be a former disciple of Qingcheng faction, one of the sacred martial grounds. However, he left Mount Qingcheng for some unknown reason later on and settled down at Old Tai'an, a town beneath the mountain. He fought against the Japanese in the battle to defend our country before as well, contributing to the battlefield and was one the bodyguard of a certain general who founded the country."

"After the war, he resigned his post and returned to his quiet life at Old Tai'an."

"But three months ago, a rank-nine Six-eyed Desert Spider appeared at Sichuan. It's a terrible creature that led a horde of Ferals to attack cities, but Long Mountain Lin alone slew the spider and six rank-eight Spiders, although his essence and innate qi burnt out in the process, leaving him with not long to live."

"He was also poisoned by the Six-eyed Desert Spider, leaving him bedridden, and I heard it took the elites of the country to keep his heart beating. But now, if there are no spirit items that could extend lifespan or cure the poison of the Six-eyed Desert Spider… Old Lin might not make it."

Jiang He frowned.

To tell the truth, he was confused.

Why a vast country like this, with two major departments in the MAD and the Superpower Research Department at that, could not afford treasures that could extend lifespan and detoxes?

Still, he soon realized the reason.

Such miracles were rare in the first place. Most people would not offer it even if they have it either, because what was there not to like about using it for themselves?

"By the way, wasn't it said that elites above rank-nine have unbelievable measures? Why couldn't they keep healing Old Lin's poison?"

Mu Wanqiu showed a pained smile and said, "Elites that reach the divine may be capable of godlike feats, but our elites in the country who reached that level mainly cultivates in slaughter and isn't adept at healing, or even extending lifespans… divine-tier elites simply don't have the measures to defy destiny."

"True."

Jiang He nodded and said, "Anyway, I do have treasures that detox and promote longevity, but I need to prepare it. I'm counting on you to contact them when the time comes, Miss Mu."

Returning to his sports car, Jiang He then pondered.

"Promoting longevity… since that is exactly the function of the eggplant, that would not be a problem. Likewise, the cucumbers could clear body heat and detox… although I'm not confident it could cure a rank-nine Feral's poison."

After musing to himself for a long time, Jiang He decided to…

Plant medicine!

There were many medicines that could cure poison, be it traditional or western.

Jiang He suddenly remembered a familiar drug that was famous for clearing body heat and detoxing then—the Bezoar Detox Pills!

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Chapter 151: Ascending From Taking A Bath?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

After he entered a pharmacy, Jiang He learned that the Bezoar Detox-series were not limited pills, but that there were also pellets, tablets, and capsules available.

Of course, 'series' was not actually a precise word since the effect was mostly the same, the only difference being the manufacturer.

"I'll have a box of Bezoar Detox Pills…

"What?

"Not sold separately?"

Jiang He was at a loss for words. How was buying an entire box buying it separately?

Then, the pharmacist simply brought out a huge box of Bezoar Detox Pills, inside of which were six smaller boxes with twelve 3g pills.

Jiang He: "…"

No wonder pharmacies earn so much!

Still, since he was already here, he should not be merely buying Bezoar Detox Pills. After some thought, he then said, "Give me something that stops bleeding and antibiotics."

When working in the field, it was unavoidable for martial artists to bleed.

Therefore, hemostatic and antibiotics were very useful.

Thud!

The pharmacists put a box of Yunnan Baiyao Band-Aid and a box of Amoxicillin capsules on the table.

"…"

Silent for seconds, Jiang he then said, "Alright, should I scan a code or pay cash for these three boxes?"

There was no doubt that the band-aid would stop bleeding, and it was a top brand like Yunnan Baiyao.

Also, Jiang He was aware that Amoxicillin was an antibiotic in the penicillin category.

With all three boxes in hand, Jiang He returned home.

It was already noon, and lunch was simple: stir-fried black wood ear over beef, eggplant over python meat, coleslaw cucumber over carrot shreds…

After eating, Jiang He rolled up his sleeves and went to the yard.

"Dumbo, Trumbo, get to work!"

At his call, Dumbo and Trumbo promptly started digging holes.

Under Jiang He's instructions, cat and dog worked diligently and clawed out over a hundred small craters, and Jiang He nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Not bad, I'll give you some snacks today."

Dumbo's eyes twinkled and promptly kicked out at Trumbo.

In turn, Trumbo turned into a black blur, and soon returned with two steel bowls and two huge spoons.

Okay…

These two creatures are getting smarter by the day, and had learned to use spoons. Dumbo had even learned to use chopsticks and almost looked the part, but after Jiang He beat it up for that, no such thing happened again.

Pitter-patter!

Jiang He hence poured dog and cat each a bowl full of qi pellets, as well as a handful of blended qi pellets.

He had quite a lot of the latter, and would not finish them soon. Feeding it to the pets and improving their ability would be a good choice.

With that, cat and dog stood on their rear legs happily, and carried their bowls over to a corner to start eating.

Meanwhile, Jiang He took out the Bezoar Detox Pills and went to work.

Planting medicine…

He had not done that before, and was therefore unsure if it would succeed.

Turning to look at the System Panel, it turned out that he had over ten thousand Farm Points. As such, Jiang He first exchanged a pack of Mysterious Soil before dumping the box of Bezoar Detox Pills into the hole.

He then poured in a third, buried the hole, and watered it.

After that, Jiang He took out the Yunnan Baiyao Band-aid, but after some thought, he threw the box inside too with another third of the Mysterious Soil.

Then, he did the same with the Amoxicillin capsules, using up all the mysterious Soil.

With that done, he began planting the gold bullions.

It was already the end of September, and the sun overhead was burning fiercely.

After planting two bullions, Jiang He wiped his forehead by reflex—but with his powerful physique now, he might not sweat even if he was dumped inside a furnace, let alone staying under the sun.

"This won't do."

"I'm getting a straw hat the next time I'm in town. What if I get tanned working the fields under this sun?"

Jiang He muttered, and continued his planting.

"Us peasants are so happy today!"

"Yo-me-yo-me-yo-he-yo-hey…"

"He-yo-he…"

"Our soil, our land, awesome with any crops!"

The song could be heard across the yard, and it was only after half an hour that Jiang He planted all 90 gold bullions, dusted his hands, and turned around.

That was when he found that the Bezoar Detox Pills, which he planted first had already sprouted.

A small shoot was growing rapidly, and the yard was wafting with an aroma of traditional medicine.

Jiang He had studied it before—the Bezoar Detox Pills were, in fact, not western medicine.

It consists of artificial bezoars, realgar, gypsum, rhubarb, scutellaria, platycodon, borneol, licorice, and belongs to the family of traditional medicine.

Shaking his head, Jiang He was at a loss for words. "Another tree… what should a tree planted from Bezoar Detox Pills be called? Bezoar tree? Detox pill tree?"

He looked to another corner.

There were small trees growing out of the spots where he planted the Yunnan Baiyao Band-Aids and Amoxicillin Capsules.

At the rate of their growth, it took over an hour before they could be harvested.

"I'll have a bath for now. My whole body is grimy after I'm just done planting…"

Jiang He poured himself a cup of Origin Fluid when he arrived beside his swimming pool, before leaping inside, leaning beside it as he leisurely had a taste…

One must say that the rank-nine Origin Fluid was simply fragrant. Most importantly, he could feel his qi and True Qi growing.

The 82′ Cola Lafite was so weak in comparison.

And how much does a bottle of Lafite cost?

Jiang he estimated that a drop of this rank-nine Origin Fluid could sell up to five hundred thousand per drop. While he needed to drink a lot of it for its effect to work, whereas average rank-three or four individuals would improve in cultivation up to one tier with one or two drops.

After drinking a mouthful of Origin Fluid, Jiang He sighed. "Feels like I'm getting more extravagant lately… my three meals, snacks and even beverages would cost at least a hundred million… luckily, I have a farmyard and it's self-sufficient, or not even hunting Ferals would sustain me for long."

Jiang He's three meals were actually very simple.

Mutated black wood-ears, the eggplants that promoted longevity, eased swells and stopped bleedings, cucumbers that improved cultivation and spirit, carrots that helped the liver and improved vision…

The Leopard Python meat was quite expensive too.

One catty was worth at least untold figures, and while he would have over a catty each day, it was still less than how much Dumbo and Trumbo ate.

Snack time was simpler: blended qi pellets.

He would munch on a dozen or up to twenty pellets whenever he had the time, which totalled up to around sixty million, if calculated according to the three million per pellet cost.

Even as he counted, Jiang He could not help taking out a few blended qi pellets to snack on.

Munch, munch…

The look on Jiang He's face then changed as his aura grew.

Laughing bitterly, Jiang He said helplessly, "Can't I bathe in peace? I was just having a dip and some snack, and now I rose to rank-seven pinnacle…"

He left the pool, put on his clothes, and went downstairs. Running into Sora by coincidence, he whipped out another Violet Flame Lingzhi and told her, "Let's add a dish for dinner—stirred fried Lingzhi over wood-ear."

After some thought, he took out the last Violet Flame Lingzhi as well and instructed, "Make a soup with this. Remember to put in less salt since too much would cause thirst."

The reasons he was so extravagantly feasting on two Violet Flame Lingzhi in a single meal was because he was now rank-seven pinnacle. It would not be difficult to ascend up to rank-eight from there.

He then checked the time—he probably could harvest the Bezoar Detox Pills now, and he arrived at the yard to find three green trees standing next to each other.

The branch of one particular tree was filled with purple-pills the size of a finger joint, and Jiang He estimated that there were at least a thousand pills on that tree that stood over two meters tall.

Next to it was the band-aid tree, which was rather ridiculous.

Though Jiang He did expect to see band-aids hanging on the tip of the branches, he was not aware how far its effects had strengthened, and its design was rather embarrassing.

Indeed, the Yunnan Baiyao Band-Aid was larger after strengthening, and even as they dangled on the branches, they resembled sanitary pads.

Scowling, Jiang He went up to pluck the band aids, and a line of data appeared before his eyes.

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Chapter 152: Purple-Gold Sunflower Seeds

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

[Strengthened Yunnan Baiyao Band-Aid]

[Effect: Anti-inflammatory, stops bleeding, heals severe injuries]

[Dimension: 4.5cm x 6.9cm]

[Usage: Clean wound, peel off Yunnan Baiyao Band-Aid from protective covering, and apply to wound with suitable tightness.]

"…"

Jiang He stared at the line of data for seconds and could not say a word.

[Dimension: 4.5cm x 6.9cm]

It was more than three times the size of a standard band-aid… a literally extra-large band-aid.

"Whatever, the ugly and embarrassing appearance wouldn't matter as long as it works. If push comes to shove, I just have to hide it from others when I apply it." Jiang He sighed.

Hence, he began to harvest the Strengthened Yunnan Baiyao Band-Aid.

[Ding!]

[10 Farm Points.]

[Ding…]

System notifications began to jingle consecutively in his head. Perhaps because he had directly 'planted' a box of band-aid, there were over 200 of them, earning him a total of 2000 Farm Points and 200 EXP.

"What a shame!

"My farm has yet to level up, so this EXP has gone to waste."

Then, Jiang He turned to the Bezoar Detox Pills.

After the strengthening growth, the Bezoar Detox Pills had increased in size too, each of those dark-purple pills was now the size of hawthorn pills, dangling from the tip of branches and exuding a thick aroma of traditional medicine.

[Ding!]

[10 Farm Points]

Jiang He reached out to pluck on of the Bezoar Detox Pills.

[Strengthened Bezoar Detox Pills]

[Effect: Lowers body heat, detox]

"Well, that's a plain and simple effect. Lowers body heat, detox… it probably would have better detox effect compared to cucumbers.

[Ding!]

[10 Farm Points]

[Ding!]

[…]

There were over 300 Bezoar Detox Pills that earned Jiang He 3000 Farm Points, recouping the 5000 Farm Points he spent redeeming a pack of Mysterious Soil.

As for the Amoxicillin…

In line with the principle of 'you reap what you sow', capsules were dangling from the tip of the branches. Still, witnessing such a sight firsthand was very bizarre.

Luckily, Jiang He was used to such weirdness.

[Ding!]

[10 Farm Points]

[Strengthened Amoxicillin Capsule]

[Effect: Anti-inflammatory, cures various infection and inflammation.]

There was a total of 200 Strengthened Amoxicillin Capsules, earning Jiang He another 2000 Farm Points.

After that, Jiang He split the three medicine between different boxes in his System Backpack, and hummed a small tune as he turned towards the Yuanbao Trees that were shining in dazzling golden radiance.

He then looked up…

And froze.

"Hold on…"

"I planted 90 gold bullions, and even if the last one was just seven taels, and could be considered an inferior seed, shouldn't I have a total of 89 Yuanbao Trees?"

Even so, there were only ten Yuanbao Trees, including the two he planted before.

"Could the survival rate of Yuanbao Trees be low?"

"No… as a farmer with rich experiences, this wouldn't happen to my crops. I could plant even a seed that became moldy!"

Survival rate…

Nonsense.

Frowning, Jiang He went up and start harvesting.

Each tree had bore 100 golden Yuanbao, each earning him 10 Farm Points. Aside from the two Yuanbao Trees he planted before, the eight Yuanbao Trees earned him a total of 8000 Farm Points.

With that, he once again accumulated over twenty thousand Farm Points.

But what good was that? It would at best improve his Ninefold Thunderblade to the Second Fold.

An idea suddenly struck it then, and he whipped out his Dragon-Slaying Saber, cut down the first two Yuanbao Trees and took out a stool, sat on it as he quietly waited.

In just around ten minutes—

Crack, crack.

A soft sound could be heard from beneath the ground.

Jiang He came to his senses then and looked at the ground that was squirming, and soon two young golden shoots of Yuanbao Trees grew out of the ground.

"As I've thought."

Having proven his hunch, Jiang He could not help chuckling. "It sems that the System limits the number of a single crop too. There could only be ten Yuanbao Trees at any given time, for example."

Raising his blade, he chopped down the other eight Yuanbao Trees before he remembered the black wood ears he had planted before.

He did plant a lot of those, after all.

Could the 'max limit on one crop species' rule vary between different species?

Nonetheless, Jiang He did not care since he was unable to communicate with the System. Then, after around two hours, the second batch of Yuanbao Trees matured, and the ten new trees yielded 1000 yuanbaos and earned him ten thousand Farm Points.

After that, like clockwork, Jiang He cut down the Yuanbao Trees, and soon the third batch sprouted.

That was when the screech of a car brake could be heard from the outside. Jiang He hence stepped out of his farmyard to find a Benz with a red license plate parked outside his gates, with a martial artist and an Awakened alighting.

The martial artist looked middle-aged and had inch-long hair. His aura was staunch, and Jiang He felt that he was stronger than the Earth Demon Heavenly General, whom Jiang He killed. Weirdly, however, his True Qi appeared to be…

Rather weak.

"Stress training grandmaster!"

Jiang He thought then, when the middle-aged man offered a fist-palm martial salute, smiling, "Mister Jiang. I'm Rock Pile, from the Superpower Research Department."

The other person—an Awakened was weaker, and was perhaps B-class. However, all Jiang He felt was an enigmatic but active presence, so he must be an Awakened with a unique power.

Obviously, they were here to deliver the sunflower seeds.

As if on cue, Rock Pile brought out an exquisitely decorated box then, saying, "Mister Jiang, this is the Purple-Golden Sunflower Seeds you've asked for. All fourteen seeds are in there, please check at your leisure."

Jiang He hence opened the box for a look, and there were indeed 14 of those sunflower seeds.

Each were three times the size of an average sunflower seed, and were a attractive purple-golden hue.

As such, Jiang He picked up one seed.

Munch.

He chewed slowly before giving his review when he finished it, "Not bad. These Purple-Golden Sunflower Seeds look beautiful and have a large head, not to mention that they are three times the size of normal ones and very delicious. My only complaint is that I don't enjoy sunflower seeds raw… frying and seasoning might make it better."

Of course, frying and seasoning meant he would not be planting them, since by logic, 'cooked' seed could not be planted.

Jiang He tilted his head and carefully extended his sense over his own body, before frowning and saying, "Still, the effect of these seeds isn't as strong as you put it. I wouldn't sense an improvement in my spirit if I didn't stretch out my senses. Could it be that my spirit is too strong?"

Rock Pile: "…"

He came to his senses after half a beat and saluted Jiang He again, bowing as he somberly said, "Mister Jiang, I heard from Miss Mu that you are exceedingly strong physically and might be familiar with stress techniques, and not on a novice's level."

His tone turned then as a fighting intent arose from his body and he growled, "Rock Pile, heir of a lay monk of Mount Song's Shaolin Temple. Your presence graces me, Mister Jiang—but as there aren't many grandmasters in stress training, would you be willing to squander a bit of your energy to spar with me?"

Jiang He looked at Rock Pile in surprise, finding the 'heir of a lay monk of Mount Song's Shaolin Temple' rather curious…

A lay monk was a lay monk. How did an heir pop up in the mix?

Still, Jiang He did not ask.

He abruptly charged Indestructible Diamond, Nature Qi bursting out around his body just as a dragon's roar and an elephant's trumpeting echoed, and he slapped out a palm nonchalantly.

"What!?"

The look on Rock Pile's face changed then, even though he had been brimming with fighting spirit just before. In that very moment, he pushed his qi to its limits, his body glimmering in faint golden radiance… but that was not enough.

Jiang He's nonchalant palm was pressing at him with such monumental force that it was as if the world was crashing down upon him. His gaze actually turned dark just then, because Jiang He's qi was so exceedingly powerful compared to Rock Pile that even his vision was pressured.

Boom!

The air cracked.

Jiang He's palm stopped just three inches off Rock Pile's chest.

And yet, the buffeting gales from the qi energy that burst out directly sent Rock Pile flying.

Withdrawing his hand, Jiang He appeared taken aback as he exclaimed in surprise, "Indestructible Diamond? You know it too?"

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Chapter 153: Great Leap In Ability and the Power of Thunder Will

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Boom!

A dull crash could be heard.

As Rock Pile slammed heavily into the ground, he crashed through and collapsed a building next to the opposite house.

By now, most of the houses around Jiang He's house had crumbled entirely.

Blargh!

Rock Pile spat out a mouthful of blood. Fear and disbelief cloud his eyes, and all he could think offwas Jiang He's palm strike.

How frightening!

How horrific!

Even if Rock Pile was himself a grandmaster in stress straining and his physique alone could match a rank-seven advanced individual, in the face of that palm strike, he felt an illusion as if he was no more than a leaf raft adrift in the sea, and could capsize at any moment.

There was just no way of stopping it.

The buffeting winds from Jiang He's nonchalant palm alone had sent him flying, causing his qi and blood to boil.

He needed several minutes to calm his body, before rising and returning to Jiang He and offering another respectful fist-palm salute, bowing.

At the same time, the stupefied Awakened regained his senses as well, and quickly said, "Please don't be too harsh on us, Mister Jiang. Rock Pile is famous for being a martial nut in our department. When he learned about how formidable your physique was and might be a grandmaster of stress training techniques, he offered to bring you these Purple-Golden Sunflower Seeds to spar with you."

On the other hand, Jiang He stared at Rock Pile, frowning as he said, "What did you mean, an heir of a Shaolin Temple's lay monk?"

Now even more reverent towards Jiang He, Rock Pile explained, "My grandfather was once a lay monk in the Shaolin Temple, having once trained there. There, he learned Indestructible Diamond—one of the Seventy-Two Supreme Moves of Shaolin Temple. Since my father cultivated under my grandfather's tutelage and I did the same under my father, that is why I'm an heir of a lay monk."

Jiang He came to an understanding then and nodded.

The Shaolin Temple was one of the Hua Nation's five sacred grounds and had since closed its doors for almost a hundred years. However, it boasted many disciples, although not all would shave their heads and take on an oath of abstinence—in fact, many keep their hair during cultivation, becoming lay monks in the process.

Then, after they leave the mountain, they could break the abstinence rule once more, eating meat, drinking alcohol, and even take a wife or start a family.

Still, Jiang He was curious.

The Shaolin Temple of this world actually had Indestructible Diamond too?

"What about the Dragon-Elephant Prajna, then? If memory serves, that technique is founded by the Tantras, which is another one of the five sacred grounds…" Jiang He thought inwardly.

Meanwhile, Rock Pile had been musing to himself for a long time. Then, unable to help himself, he asked, "Mister Jiang, if my eyes weren't tricking me, you must have cultivated Indestructible Diamond as well, I believe? The Nature Qi that shrouds your body is a sign of mastery over Indestructible Diamond."

"It was said that mastery over Indestructible Diamond is incredibly difficult, that even the elder monks of the Shaolin Temple might not cultivate it to that level."

Pausing, Rock Pile then offered another fist-palm salute and bow, saying, "Rock Pile, heir of a Shaolin Temple's lay monk, hereby saluting Brother Jiang."

"…"

Jiang He couldn't help chuckling, "I'm neither a lay monk at the Shaolin Temple nor an heir."

"True," Rock Pile replied, "I've also heard a dragon's roar and an elephant's trumpeting… Mister Jiang must have cultivated in the Dragon-Elephant Prajna as well, which was only taught to core disciples of Tantra. You must be a Tantra, Mister Jiang?"

"Still…"

Rock Pile was rather bemused then. After he studied Jiang He from head to toe, he exclaimed in surprise, "Does the core Tantra sect have lay monks too?"

Jiang He shook his head, saying, "I'm not a disciple of Tantra. I merely taught myself Indestructible Diamond and the Dragon-Elephant Prajna… alright, Brother Rock, I have other matters to attend to if there's nothing else—the crops in my farmyard are waiting."

Rock Pile offered another fist-palm salute then, saying, "Farewell, Mister Jiang."

The Awakened did the same too, and with that, Jiang He turned and went to his yard.

He was not concerned at all with the Indestructible Diamond and the Dragon-Elephant Prajna.

Those were planted on a whim and functioned as a stopgap, he would definitely have traded for another cultivation manual when his farm levels up. Was Nature Mystic and Invincible Demon Form not awesome?

"Right.

"That fellow mentioned that the Dragon-Elephant Prajna is a forbidden technique of the Tantra Sect, and no one could cultivate aside from core disciples… would the Tantras bother me in the future?"

Soon, Jiang He was amused by his own thoughts.

Bother him?

The manual he planted was the revamped one. How could he be bothered?

As for the cultivation of mnemonic chants and styles circulating online?

The one thing Jiang He was sure about was that the cultivation manuals online were basically made up by some netizen who had too much free time… someone simply fabricated them because the Indestructible Diamond and the Dragon-Elephant Prajna were famous.

Returning to the yard, the third batch of yuanbaos were ripe.

By the time Jiang He plucked every yuanbao and cut down the trees, Sora arrived at the yard.

"Master, dinner's ready."

"Dinner is ready?"

Jiang He took a look at the time and found that it was already half-past six in the evening. He had been too focused on his work that he actually forgot the time. He then returned to the mansion, washed his face, and sat down at the dinner table.

Then, Sora served dinner.

The aroma from the plate of stir-fried Violet Flame Lingzhi over beef and pot of stewed Violet Flame Lingzhi over snake meat wafted all over the mansion.

Picking up a bowl of rice, Jiang He began to eat.

And as he ate…

Ooom!

Jiang He shuddered as a searing presence flashed and disappeared over his body. Lowering his bowl of rice, he felt himself carefully, and found that the fire field in his head had strengthened considerably.

Even his cultivation has improved slightly too.

"The Violet Flame Lingzhi strengthens superpowers too?"

"Makes sense. My fire-type superpower was awakened thanks to the Violet Flame Lingzhi, and it is logical that eating it would strengthen it."

Jiang He continued having dinner, but was only half full.

Boom!

The True Qi in his body began to stream on wildly, and his cultivation promptly rose from rank-seven pinnacle to rank-eight.

His fire-type power strengthened once more, reaching A-class.

Naturally, there was a huge gap between the abilities of different A-class Awakened, although novice A-class and pinnacle A-class individuals are all known as A-class. Jiang He estimated that if he relied on superpowers only instead of his physique and True Qi cultivation, he would be rank-seven advanced at best.

Still, Jiang He was not concerned about his cultivation's improvement. He simply finished his rice and soup leisurely.

"Okay…"

"My cultivation has improved slightly, stabilizing on rank-eight novice."

Calmly cleaning his mouth, Jiang He left his mansion and returned to his yard.

Luckily, there were still several batches yuanbao waiting for him.

Jiang He did not sleep the entire night until the sun rose the next morning, when he harvested the last batch of yuanbao. It was difficult, but the rewards were grand.

Planting ninety gold bullions earned Jiang He a total of ninety thousand Farm Points, reaching over a hundred thousand when added to the Farm Points he had before.

"Hard work never lets down the determined!"

Jiang He turned on his System Panel delightedly.

[Name: Jiang He]

[Cultivation: Rank-Eight Novice]

[Ability: Royal Sword, fire]

[Martial Arts Cultivation: Indestructible Diamond (Mastery), Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (), Blind Princess's Eight Practices (Second Practice), Strengthened Nine Yang Technique (Third Tier), Ninefold Thunderblade (Second Fold), Dragon-Elephant Prajna (First Tier)]

[Owned Land: 888m]

[Farm Level: 3 (EXP 5000/5000)]

[System Backpack: 12 boxes]

[System Shop: Unlocked]

[Farm Points: 118300]

Now that he has enough Farm Points, what next was improving his skills.

As the thought crossed Jiang He's mind—

[Ding!]

[-40000 Farm Points]

[Congratulations, Host. You have gained Fourth Tier Mastery over the Strengthened Nine Yang Technique.]

[Ding!]

[-20000 Farm Points]

[Congratulations, Host. You have gained Mastery over the Third Fold of the Ninefold Thunderblade.]

Jiang He's mood became even better as one System Notifications jingled after the other, and he could not help laughing out loud. "System, keep it up. Upgrade the Ninefold Thunderblade to fourth fold!"

[Ding!]

[Upgrade unavailable due to insufficient Farm Points.]

"…"

The yard became silent as once as Jiang He was left scowling and at a loss for words. "Could you not be that hurtful, System? I've been farming Farm Points for an entire day, and it's gone in seconds?"

Boom!

Even as he spoke, Jiang He's aura thundered, and he rose from rank-eight novice up to rank-eight intermediate, advanced, and soon pinnacle…

That was because the cultivation techniques he had just improved twice over.

Still, after waiting for half a day, his cultivation did not continue ascending, and he could not help scowling again.

'That's it?

'Isn't this disappointing?

'I spent over 90000 Farm Points to upgrade my Nine Yang Technique, and you can't even improve me up to rank-nine?'

Jiang He only came to his senses after what felt like half a day. Breathing a long sigh, he said, "Oh, I'll just have to go for combos. The improvement in cultivation was not great… but it seems that my combat ability has doubled compared to before?"

He then thought about it.

Back when he was rank-six, he had some trouble killing Guilty Star. Still, he could probably cut him down with two or three strikes at rank-seven after learning the Ninefold Thunderblade, and now…

"Perhaps two or three strikes at my full power would be enough to cut down Third Elder now. As for my Ninefold Thunderblade… Eh?"

Jiang He was about to test out the third style of the Ninefold Thunderblade when, in the next instant, something unusual happened.

He felt a mysterious epiphany that arose from the bottom of his heart.

Crack-boom!

A faint trace of thunder energy extended around Jiang He's body.

As if thunderstruck, Jiang He blanked out over a dozen seconds before coming to his senses, and mumbled in disbelief, "Is this… the Boundary of Wills?"

Wasn't it said that the Boundary of Wills was difficult to reach?

That rank-nines had delved into it for over a decade without any certainty of grasping it.

So…

How did I reach it out of nowhere???

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Chapter 154: Completely Joyless Cultivation

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Jiang He was baffled.

Only rank-nines could grasp the Boundary of Wills, thereby imbuing a world's might into their skills and greatly improving the ability of a martial artist.

For example, the air seemed to ignite when the Third Elder of the Sky Demon Cult fought at full power, and his strikes carried the power of fire will. If Jiang He had not been wearing his Dark Golden Combat Suit, he would be the one dying that night instead of Third Elder.

Closing his eyes, Jiang He carefully stretched out his senses.

He seemed to the 'see' the thunder energies adrift in the air.

He then left the yard and went outside, drawing his Dragon-Slaying Saber to test his blade technique.

Whoosh!

An echo boomed as he swung it.

That, however, was merely a plain slash. Still, although Jiang He did not use Ninefold Thunderblade, the swing sparked faint thunderbolts, and even the air cracked with electric shocks.

He slashed again!

As Jiang He swung over dozens of times, he triggered more thunder will, and even his normal slashes now had the effect of the first fold of Ninefold Thunderblade.

Jiang He only put his blade away after some time.

He stood where he was and pondered.

"Thunder will?"

"Have I really grasped thunder will? But I'm merely rank-eight pinnacle and hadn't gained the epiphany legends or reached an understanding of thunder after watching it. How did I grasp it out of nowhere?"

"Still, I'm lucky it's thunder will, or my cultivation would have been stumped."

Being a martial arts newbie who entered the martial scene for a month, as well as one who had no instruction and merely cultivated randomly on his own, Jiang He was quite apprehensive.

"Should I make a call to ask?"

"It seems that I'm quite unlucky. Commander Chen is the only rank-nine martial artist I know who is still alive, since both Third Elder and Sixth Elder of the Sky Demon Cult kicked the bucket."

"As a rank-nine martial artist who grasped sword will, Chen Jingzhou would be more experienced in this respect."

Jiang He whipped out his phone and looked for Chen Jingzhou's number on his phonebook, but ultimately did not dial it after some thought.

After all…

He was not particularly close to Chen Jingzhou, and going to him seemed inappropriate.

Swiping the phone screen with his fingertip, he stared at the handful of names on his contact list when he saw the name 'Old Cheng'.

"Old Cheng… Cheng Dongfeng!"

"Yes! Cheng Dongfeng is a disciple of the Eight Trigrams School and was personally instructed by the grandmaster of that school, and he must know a lot!"

After he dialed the number, Cheng Dongfeng quickly answered his call, laughing, "Why the sudden call today, Jiang He?"

"Are you free now, Master Cheng?"

Jiang He's voice was quite low, since asking for pointers like this easily reveals his lacking knowledge in martial arts, and it made sense that he was embarrassed. "So, my question is that I've been having some problems in cultivation that I need your help with."

Cheng Dongfeng happened to be having lunch at a eat-with-your-hands restaurant at Lingzhou City.

The city had been at peace lately, just as there were no incidents of Ferals attacking villagers in surrounding towns. Moreover, with most of those citizens having moved into the city base, the various units of the Martial Arts Department (MAD) had a much easier time doing their jobs.

Moreover, Cheng Dongfeng's 'housing' problem really solved after Deputy Zhou's trip to Lingzhou City, with the deputy paying out of his own wallet for a ten million-dollar luxury apartment.

Of course, while Deputy Zhou had indeed paid out of his own pocket at the time, there was no telling whether he claimed that as expenses back at the MAD headquarters in Jingdu City.

Cheng Dongfeng was therefore in a great mood, his usual stingy self actually making an exception this time to treat Duan Tianhe, Mu Wanqiu, Wu Yueru, and several others to lunch.

Chen Jingzhou was not with them, since he had something to do and returned to Yuzhen.

Meanwhile, everyone had become silent when they heard that it was Jiang He's phone call, and all of them were leaning in for a listen.

Cheng Dongfeng had been uncertain at first… who knew what this VIP had in mind when he called? What if he asked for another spar, should he refuse or refuse unhappily?

Nonetheless, when he heard that Jiang He wanted to ask about martial knowledge, he promptly puffed his chest. He became much more comfortable as he leaned leisurely into his chair, even turning on speakers and chuckling smugly, "You've asked the right person, Jiang He. Though I'm barely a rank-seven grandmaster, not even an average rank-eight could match me in insight."

"Eh?"

Jiang He was rather disappointed. "Only rank-eight? Well, Master Cheng, how much do you know about rank-nine?"

"What?

"Are you looking down on me now?"

Cheng Dongfeng chuckled softly, and said, "Like others, rank-nines are divided into the four tiers of novice, advanced, intermediate, and pinnacle. Even so, their combat ability should not be judged by tiers—for example, a rank-nine novice who grasps the boundary of wills would not lose out to a rank-nine advanced, and could even prove to be a match against a rank-nine pinnacle who has yet to grasp the boundary of wills."

"Under most circumstances, if their cultivation method, fighting skills, and combat experience are equal, then a rank-nine novice martial artist who grasped the boundary of wills would have the ability to defeat a rank-nine pinnacle."

Everyone else in the private cubicle nodded.

That was common-sense in martial arts, and the people present were not weak and understood that.

Nonetheless, that was when Jiang He's surprised voice came from the other end of the call.

"Are rank-nine martial artists who have grasped the boundary of wills that strong? But… I didn't really find the Third Elder or the Sixth Elder of the Sky Demon Cult that powerful."

"…"

The smile on Cheng Dongfeng's face stiffened. His hand quivered, and he almost dropped his phone.

Then, Jiang He added, "Moreover, Master Cheng, you just mentioned that rank-nine novice martial artists who grasped boundary of wills could match rank-nine pinnacles without that power… but are rank-nine pinnacle martial artists that weak? How could they not grasp the boundary of wills when a rank-nine novice martial artist could?"

That left Cheng Dongfeng blue with shock and at a loss for words. "Do you think the boundary of wills is a dish or something? I'm just giving an example. In reality, there are next to none rank-nine novice martial artists who grasped the boundary of wills, just as many rank-nine pinnacles never grasped it… in fact, reaching the boundary of wills at either rank-nine intermediate or advanced makes on a prodigy amongst prodigies."

"Is that so? Then could rank-eight martial artists grasp the boundary of wills?"

Cheng Dongfeng did not even think and cut to the point, "In theory, yes, but that is basically impossible—in the very least, there is no one I know who grasped the boundary of wills at rank-eight, even in the Old Martial Era… Eh?"

Before he finished, he vaguely heard Jiang He bark something and hang up.

Putting away his phone in confusion, Cheng Dongfeng then found everyone staring at himself and suddenly had a bold idea. "Say," he asked quietly, "For Jiang He to suddenly ask about the boundary of wills… could he have reached rank-nine already and is ready to attempt grasping the boundary of wills?"

Everyone laughed.

Even Duan Tianhe could not help retorting, "Old Cheng… would you believe that yourself?"

"Didn't Jiang He ascend after his return from Mount Helan? It was alleged that he consumed a floral spirit that improves cultivation to reach rank-seven advanced… but even if he's riding a rocket, could he ascend up from there to rank nine in just a few days?"

Duan Tianhe shook his head and smiled. "It's even less possible for a rank-seven him to perceive the boundary of wills through meditation. From what I understand about him, he probably had thought of it through some mysterious connection and called you about it."

"That's true."

Cheng Dongfeng nodded, finding sense in those words.

Back at Jinyintan Village.

Jiang He, sitting on the sofa in the living room of his mansion was looking perplexed.

For real?

There was no chance anyone below rank-nine could grasp the boundary of wills?

"That's not it… Cheng Dongfeng had always preferred to exaggerate his words, and he even claimed that it was an impossible myth for rank-six to turn the tables against a rank-seven… and yet, when I was still rank-six, I've already slain two-digits worth of rank-sevens, rank-eight, and even rank-nines."

Nevertheless, Jiang He suddenly had a flash of inspiration as he connected the dots.

"Grasping the boundary of wills out of nowhere?"

"Wrong. I've got it wrong!"

"I grasped thunder will is because I've cultivated in the Ninefold Thunderblade… as for the reason, could it be that the third fold of that technique be so exceedingly profound that I mandatorily grasped thunder will after leveling it up with Farm Points?"

That might indeed be the case.

Even so, Jiang He felt quite upset.

Forget not running into any obstacles in his previous ascensions—he even grasped the boundary of wills without knowing?

Was there any joy in such cultivation to speak of?

In the meantime, after having his lunch, Jiang He went upstairs for a nap, and ended up sleeping until seven. When he woke up, Sora was cooking dinner…

Then, after finishing dinner, Jiang He was about to go outside for a breather when his mobile phone started ringing.

It was Mu Wanqiu.

"Jiang He, I've contacted the Lin clan of Sichuan. Lin Tianzheng is now at Jiangnan, and the unconscious Old Lin was brought there with him. He said that he would visit you tomorrow morning, to exchange his Orirocks for your treasure which promotes longevity and detoxes."

"Jiangnan?"

Jiang He thought about it.

He was going to Jiangnan to annoy that Black King Drake anyway to gather materials to level up his farm, which was why he promptly said, "Tell him not to bother. I coincidentally have some matters to visit Jiangnan for and would go there tomorrow morning. We'll just have to trade there when that happens."

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Chapter 155: Mutated Boston Ivy

"Jiangnan, Jiangnan…"

"I wonder how the city has changed now."

Jiang He was leaning into his couch and gently stirring a wine glass in his hand.

It was no wine in the glass, but some of the rank-nine Origin Fluid he had. He took a small sip then, feeling the fresh aroma enter his mouth converting into pure energy that nourished his limbs, bones, strengthening his muscles and Innate Qi.

Memories of himself being in Jiangnan appeared in his mind then.

"It seems that 'I' attended university at Jiangnan?"

Drinking the whole glass of Origin Fluid in a single gulp, Jiang He turned on the tv to watch the news.

Sora walked up then, asking if she should prepare his luggage.

After some thought, Jiang He said, "Just pack my silk pajamas. I've gotten used to those, and I'd have a hard time sleeping if I wear plain pajamas now."

"By the way, cooked me several portions of stir-fried eggplant over meat, and coleslaw cucumber shreds… oh, can't black wood ears be coupled with carrots as coleslaws?"

"Add in several portions of black wood ear over meat too."

Jiang He smiled. "I really can't eat outside stuff now that I had gotten accustomed to my own food—the taste is just so horrible… now go prepare, I'll buy some lunchboxes at the supermarket later."

With that, Sora put on an apron and went to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Jiang He drove into the city and found one particularly exquisite lunchbox design that he liked at first glance at the supermarket. It was even heat-retaining, and merely costs a few dozen dollars.

He bought a hundred in one go.

He then went to the pharmacy to buy a first aid box where he would keep the Bezoar Detox Pills and the Amoxicillin capsules. After all, he should not directly take them out of his System Backpack when he traded with that person from the Lin clan, could he?

A phone call from Duan Tianhe arrived when he left the pharmacy.

"Jiang He, the awards headquarters sent to you are here. Should I bring them to your house?"

"No need."

Jiang He laughed. "I'm in the city; I'll come take them."

Soon.

Duan Tianhe's office in the Martial Arts Department (MAD).

Before all else, Duan Tianhe drew out a box with fine wrapping. "Mister Jiang, there are seven Purple-Golden Sunflower Seeds in this box, please check."

Jiang He opened the box and scanned it.

Still, it was not as if he distrusted Duan Tianhe with handing him his rewards from the MAD.

After that, Duan Tianhe took out another box that was made from a special material—the outside was a thin layer of silver alloy and the interior was an ice layer smoking with icy vapors. Within it was a vine as thick as a thumb and around three feet long.

"This is a mutated rank-seven floral spirit. The Superpower Research Department's study revealed that it evolved from a certain species of ivy, and it improves spirit after consumption."

However, Jiang He felt a headache while he stared at the ivy.

What use was that ivy?

Nonetheless, in the split second when he reached out to touch the ivy…

Whoosh!

The ivy darted forward like a viper, coiling around Jiang He's wrist with a rustle. An enormous constricting force could be felt then, and most frighteningly…

Beneath the emerald leaves of the ivy were numerous razor-sharp spikes.

Each of those spikes stabbed violently down Jiang He's wrist. Judging from the enormous constricting force, the spikes would puncture even an average rank-seven grandmaster's True Qi protection.

And yet…

Crack.

Several spikes instantly snapped off.

Jiang He's eyes twinkled at that, and he extended his left hand to lift the ivy with two fingers with a smile. "This vine is actually that powerful? Consuming such a treasure to improve spirit is really a waste, especially since it could survive after it's moved away from the soil. Won't it be a pet that guards the house if I could replant it back home?"

"Could floral spirits even be replanted?"

Duan Tianhe shook his head, saying, "The Superpower Research Department has already experimented with that, spending billions of research funds on one project to replant floral spirits, and it still failed."

"The experiment proved that it's simply impossible to replant floral spirits… They have by chance absorbed the Universal Force or even some special substance, thereby obtaining sentience and thought that could only be maintained via special measures. They would die within a short time if moved."

Meanwhile, Jiang He stuffed the Boston Ivy back inside the specially-made box before sneering. "In the end, replanting floral spirits is basically farming. Do the specialists and professors of the Superpower Research Department know anything about that?"

Surprised, Duan Tianhe couldn't help retorting, "Those specialists and professors of the Superpower Research Department would probably kill you if they heard you… there are some amongst them who hold authority in agriculture, and who would know farming if they don't? You?"

"Of course."

Jiang He laughed out loud. "As a proud child of farmers, I do happen to know farming."

And that was about it for the bragging.

Having had his tease, Jiang He rubbed his palms and asked, "Chief Duan, Deputy Zhou promised me three awards, but there are only two here. Where's the last one?"

In fact, Jiang He was looking forward to the last one the most.

Hence, Duan Tianhe took out a sword chest.

The chest was exquisitely sculpted, and was made of a special ore and not of alloys, giving it an ancient presence.

"The Unnamed Broken Sword… there's nothing practical about this aside from some value as a collectible. Even Deputy Zhou thought that you were losing out by choosing this, which was why he sent you this sword chest as well. It's said to be discovered at the same heritage site, and must have belonged to a powerful swordsman who used the chest to nurture sword will. Any sword placed within the chest would develop some traces of sword will after some time."

Duan Tianhe introduced it enviously with a smile. "Of course, that bit of sword will would not match up against genuine sword wills, but it would still improve the abilities of a martial artist who has yet to grasp sword will."

Nonetheless, Jiang He really did not care for the sword chest or whatnot.

He accepted the chest and opened to look, and found a halved fragment of a rusted sword's edge.

After he picked it up and studied it, he found that it was perfectly plain like its appearance without any special aspects.

"Maybe this wasn't a fragment of a mystic flying sword?"

Jiang He himself began to have doubts, but now that he had accepted the Broken Sword, it was useless to even think about it. He would try to plant it after his farm levels up, and he would know whether it was a flying sword then.

After chatting for a bit, Jiang He packed up the treasures and soon returned home.

Sora had cooked a tone of dishes as he instructed, filling the table, and even the tea table. Jiang He hence took out the lunchboxes and had Sora package the dishes, before putting everything inside his System Backpack.

Stretching and yawning, he then said, "Sora, keep an eye on Dumbo and Trumbo when I'm not around. Don't let those punks cause trouble."

"Yes, master!"

Then, when Sora saw that Jiang He looked drowsy, she asked, "You did not sleep for an entire night, master, and it's almost night. Why not have a nap before you leave?"

"It's fine."

Jiang He waved her off, smiling. "I'll sleep on the way."

With that, he left the mansion and climbed straight into his sports car.

There were no more flights now as there were too many flying Ferals, causing up to 90% of aerial incidents to all civilian flights. Even if the airline companies had the courage to take to the air, who would dare to buy a ticket?

That was why Jiang He had to drive to Jiangnan.

Still, it was not exactly driving for him, since he only had to give a voice command after getting on the car… before he adjusted the driver's seat down and snored away.

He would be on the approach to Jiangnan when he woke up naturally.

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Chapter 156: Do You Take Me For A Clay Doll?

9am, the thirtieth of September.

The chief's office of Lingzhou City's Martial Arts Department (MAD).

Duan Tianhe was all smiles over the phone, and laughing heartily from time to time while slapping the table.

Cheng Dongfeng poked his head in from outside the door in surprise then, and looked with concern toward Duan Tianhe as he hung up, exclaiming in surprise, "What's going on with you, Old Duan?"

"Have you lost your mind?"

"I did hear that your wife is moving here to Lingzhou City soon… did that hurt you so much?"

Duan Tianhe pretended as if he did not hear Cheng Dongfeng's sarcasm at all, and walked forward to place both his hands upon Cheng Dongfeng's shoulders, his eyes seemingly ablaze with two radiant flames.

What?

Cheng Dongfeng freed himself and stepped back, casting Eight Trigrams Steps and even releasing his True Qi—if Duan Tianhe would dare to do anything out of line, he would not hold back.

"I feel good. I feel so damned good… perhaps you aren't aware of what major event recently happened in the martial world, did you?"

Duan Tianhe was a little speechless at that, too. What was with that look?

'I have a wife and I'm straight, please!'

Then, completely ignoring Cheng Dongfeng's reaction, he smiled and added, "Deputy Zhou just called, saying that Minister Wang had just visited the five sacred grounds of martial arts, and made them yield with overwhelming force!"

"Now, all five sacred grounds have agreed to provide the MAD with secret cultivation methods. Moreover, they would be sending a 'divine-tier' elite each to guard each corner of the nation, and send the disciples of their faction into the wider world to gain experience and cultivation."

"For real?"

Cheng Dongfeng exclaimed in delight. "Now that martial arts have become so widespread that even the old lady selling vegetables at the stall down the street is a martial artist, it would not be impossible for every citizen to practice martial arts. With their extensive legacies, the secret cultivation manuals that the sacred grounds could provide would definitely push the common use of martial arts up to an era of rapid development."

"And if they really did send their elites to cover certain provinces, it would definitely ease the burdens on the military and the MAD, and significantly reduce civilian casualties!"

Meanwhile, Duan Tianhe returned to his desk and took a sip of hot his wolfberry tea from his Thermos flask. "Those two points certain works in favor of the country and her citizens," he laughed, "but the most exciting news is—"

Halfway through his sentence, he deliberately paused and continued chugging down his tea, and only continued when he saw Cheng Dongfeng becoming impatient. "The sacred grounds would be offering a quota of entrants into their Secret Realm. According to Deputy Zhou, the first batch of candidates would be picked from the MAD and the military."

This time, Cheng Dongfeng was even more shocked.

Still, he frowned after his initial surprise, calming down as he mused to himself, "A permission to enter a Secret Realm… how precious is that? Not even the disciples of the five sacred grounds—aside from core disciples, that is, would have to pay a severe price to enter, don't they? Are the five sacred grounds really that generous?"

"We wouldn't know."

Duan Tianhe replied. "Still, they are a martial arts faction of the country, and now that disaster is at hand, is it not reasonable that they work a little? By the way, contact Jiang He—the higher-ups have already given him a place in the quota."

"Jiang He?"

Cheng Dongfeng muttered as he whipped out a phone. "He did mention that he was heading to Jiangnan, but I wonder if he's at home… Let me make a call."

In his sports car, Jiang He was groggily jolted awake by his phone's ringtone.

He took a look at the caller before answering, "Master Cheng, why have you thought of calling so early in the morning?"

"Where am I?"

"I've no idea. I've started driving to Jiangnan, and fell asleep right after I left the village… Hold on, I'll check where I am."

"…"

Over on the other end, Cheng Dongfeng turned quiet, whereas Jiang He opened the car door and got off, checking left and right before looking up at the hotel in front of him.

Unable to resist a chuckle, he said, "I'm already at Jiangnan—unmanned vehicles are such a joy. I've literally woke up to find myself in front of the hotel where I booked a room."

"But weren't highways supposed to be difficult these days? There's supposedly Ferals wreaking havoc everywhere and they tend to attack vehicles driving at night, but I felt nothing…"

"…"

Cheng Dongfeng was still silent over at the other end."

"Oh right. Why did you call me, Master Cheng? I'll be hanging up if there's nothing…"

"There is, actually."

Cheng Dongfeng then told him about quota of entry into the Secret Realms.

Jiang He had wanted to refuse at first, since the best advantage of entering the Secret Realm was the quick improvement of his cultivation and perception towards the universe. He could achieve those by planting some crops as well.

Nonetheless, he eventually agreed to it after some thought.

"Alright, since you guys at the MAD insist on putting me on the quota, I'll go through the trouble. I did hear that the microworlds in the Secret Realms are worlds that elites opened, and I'll just consider that I was going on a trip."

"…"

Cheng Dongfeng was left silent once more.

What the heck?

On the other hand, Jiang He was at a loss for words—Cheng Dongfeng was the one who had called him in the first place, could he not make himself clear? Why was he silent every few exchanges?

Hanging up, Jiang He walked through the car park but did not enter the hotel immediately. He stood at the edge of the car park and surveyed his surroundings, finding crowds passing through with every single person appearing busy.

Some of the pedestrians' qi were quite strong and had clearly reached the level of martial artists. Jiang He even noticed one rank-six martial artist, several rank-five martial artists, and one B-class Awakened heading to the hotel behind him.

After all, the hotel Caesar behind was one of Jiangnan city's finest hotels. Since many martial artists would have earned a killing by now, all of them would naturally want to enjoy themselves.

In Jiang He's 'memory', when 'he' studied at Jiangnan and took part-time jobs, he had delivered vegetables to the kitchen of this hotel. His dream then was to earn big bucks and lavish himself for a night at a grand hotel like this, and now, if he were willing, he could buy up to ten such hotels.

Life is like a dream indeed!

Lighting himself a cigarette, Jiang He thought, 'The martial artists here clearly outnumber the ones at Lingzhou City… but that makes sense. Even if this is a city, how could an unknown and unfamous city like Lingzhou City compare to Jiangnan City?

First and foremost, the populations contrasted significantly already.

The greater a city's base population, the more Awakened and martial artists would rise. Moreover, Jiangnan had many martial arts clans, which was why it made sense that their number of martial artists as well as standard of martial arts were higher.

After having his cigarette, Jiang He prepared to head into the hotel to check in.

His hair was a mess after having slept in the car for the night, and having always been demanding about personal image, Jiang He wanted to wash-up and then…

Have breakfast.

He was famished after having slept until now since his six-o'clock dinner last night.

Be that as it may, before he could make two steps, a sudden sharp screech of a car brake could be heard. A yellow sports car then force-slid past Jiang He's body and stopped at a nearby parking slot.

Jiang He frowned but decided not to pursue the matter.

After all…

There were too many of such cliché plots in novels. Would he not be too cliché if he played along?

And yet, the car door opened and a mumble could be heard from inside. "Damn it, are you trying to die? Don't you have eyes growing on that big body of yours? Don't you know how to move aside when you see a car coming?"

The voice was small, but could Jiang He be fooled?

Then, just as Jiang He was about to wreck the car with a single punch, a young man dressed in a suit exclaimed in surprise when he saw Jiang He, "What the hell? Aren't you… Jiang He?"

???

Jiang He turned to the youth in confusion.

This kid…

Knows me?

On the other hand, that youth frowned after his exclamation, and turned towards the other person in the car—a beauty who dressed exceedingly seductively. "Hold on…" He murmured, taken aback. "We didn't invite Jiang He to the class reunion, did we? Why is he here?"

Jiang He: "…"

What the hell?!

Class reunion?

Sports cars and beauty?

Could the plot really be that cliché?

A memory surfaced in his mind then. After seconds of staring at the youth's face, Jiang He did find him familiar… but he completely had no memory of that seductress. She looked like your usual online celebrity and you could see that she had gone through plastic surgeries on a single glance, and he would never have recognized her even if he was acquainted with her before.

And since they were 'classmates', wrecking their car was a little inappropriate. Even so, reluctant to get caught up in a cliché plot, Jiang He promptly said, "Sorry, you've got the wrong person. I'm not Jiang He."

He turned, trying to leave.

However, in the youth's eyes, the sight of him was just like a 'down-and-out classmate who had no face to acknowledge a successful person'. After all, Jiang He did look a little shabby with his messed-up hair, and sporting clothes of mixed brands… was it not?

Giving chase, the youth caught Jiang He by the shoulder, chuckling, "Stop pretending, you are Jiang He. What? How long has it been since graduation, and you, the former Romeo of our university is already forgetting his classmates?"

What… I!!!

Jiang He gritted his teeth, slightly annoyed now.

Then, the youth added, "Although we didn't call you up for the class reunion, come join us since you're here anyway… don't worry, I know your family is poor, so we won't ask you to pay at the reunion."

The vein on Jiang He's temple was already bulging.

On the other hand, the youth seemed pleased with Jiang He's rage and pulled the seductress to himself, smirking, "By the way, do you remember Liu Xue? She once wooed you when you were the school's Romeo."

The seductress giggled coquettishly then and leaned into the youth's arms, pouting, "Oh, Young Master Wang, why would you mention my dark history? My heart must have been bewitched to fall for—"

Slap!

Jiang He landed a back hand on the seductress, slapping her down on the ground.

In turn, she screamed bloodcurdlingly, clutching her face, "Aaaaah! My nose, the nose which cost me a hundred thousand dollars… Ah, my eyes…. they looked lopsided now… I spent eighty thousand to slit those eyelids!"

Jiang He then knocked her unconscious with a kick before looking up at the youth.

His face dropped, but he yelled despite feeling cowed, "How dare you hit my girlfriend, Jiang He? You've gone too far—"

Slap!

Jiang He left that Young Master Wang or whatnot on the floor with another slap, and straddled him as he landed a few more punches. Despite holding back, Young Master Wang's face was now swollen like a pig's and he was bleeding all over.

Rising to his feet and pulling a toilet roll to clean his hands, he dumped the tissue on Young Master Wang's face, smirking, "I've told you people you got the wrong guy. I'm not Jiang He, and yet you'd still insult me. Did you really take me for a clay doll?"

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Chapter 157: Jiang He, Curing Poison

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Jiang He felt much better after beating up those two.

Arriving at the front desk of the hotel, he took out his ID and handed it to the clerk, only for her to lower her voice and asked mysteriously, "Sir, our establishment has introduced a new room-sharing service, available if you're willing to pay for half of the other' room cost. Would you care to try?"

As she spoke, she whipped out an album, with each page being adorned with the photos of sensual, beautiful ladies and labeled with some data beneath.

"Tang Yun, 23, 173cm tall, weight… Three sizes1?"

Jiang He asked, taken aback. "What does that price back here represent?"

The front-desk clerk flashed him a 'well, you-know' look and smiled. "They are all partners available for the room-sharing service, and the price is the halved room cost you have to pay. If you're interested, sir, you may pick one."

"…"

Jiang He gaped.

Hotels these days were quite the amusement.

Nonetheless, he shook his head and said, "No need. I've already booked a room—please help me take care of the arrangements."

Then, just as he was taking care of proceedings, there was a sudden uproar as a group of youths and ladies strode outside the hotel. Jiang He could even vaguely hear someone curse, "Damn it, which blind fool actually dare to beat up Young Master Wang?"

Jiang He slid a glance over there.

Yup.

Most of the people there looked familiar. Could they all be his university classmates?

Still, familiarity was all he felt since he did not remember most of their names. In fact, if that "Young Master Wang" person's girlfriend had not called his name, he would never have remembered what the last name of the person he beat up was.

Moreover, he was not concerned at all.

He reached his room, washed up and took out one of his lunchboxes from his System Backpack.

There were two layers: the bottom was rice, and the dish above was stir-fried Mutated Black Wood Ear over beef.

A fragrant aroma spread over the room once he opened his lunchbox.

It was the reason why Jiang He would rather bring his own food than eat outside food… were the dishes outside as aromatic as the food from his own home? Others notwithstanding, were the Mutated Black Wood Ear that strengthened him physically even now available anywhere else?

Jiang He estimated that if he sold the Mutated Black Wood Ear, it would not be a problem for a dish like this could fetch for a very hefty sum.

After he was done eating, he carelessly threw away the lunchbox and whipped out his phone to send Mu Wanqiu a message, and she called back soon enough.

"Jiang He, have you already arrived at Jiangnan?"

"Shall I reach out to the contact from Sichuan's Lin clan and tell him to meet you?"

"No need. I happened to want to take a stroll. Just give me his contact and I'll find him."

Jiang He did not put on airs.

He prepared his first-aid kit, brought out another portion of stir-fried eggplant over leopard python meat and shredded cucumber coleslaw. Then, when he picked up his phone for a look, he saw that Mu Wanqiu had already sent him the information of the Lin clan's contact.

"Lin Tianzheng?"

"The eldest son of Elder Lin in Sichuan's Lin clan. Rank-eight intermediate and adept at swordplay… and the chief of Sichuan's Martial Arts Department (MAD)?"

Aside from the simple information, there was also a mobile number and a photo attached behind, showing a solemn, square-faced middle-aged man.

Then, Jiang He checked on the mobile number…

It was very familiar.

In fact, it definitely was that person who had hung up on him halfway through their business conversation the other night.

Jiang He dialed the number, and before he could speak when the call connected, Lin Tianzheng said, "Greetings. You must be Mister Jiang, I presume? Miss Mu has already reached out to me, and both my father and I are here at the Caesar Hotel. Where are you, Mister Jiang? I could go to you."

"The Caesar Hotel?"

Jiang He smiled. "I'm there by coincidence too. What's your room number? I could have a look at the patient too."

After all, Elder Lin had accomplished great deeds for the country during wartime, and returned to his quiet life at Old Tai'an when the fighting ended. But despite being almost a hundred years old, he stood up for the people again to fight Ferals.

Such a person was worthy of respect, and going to him personally did not matter much.

Lin Tianzheng then gave him the room number.

"7105?"

Pocketing his room key card, he locked the door and went to the elevator, riding it up to the seventh floor.

Just as the elevator doors opened, the doors of the adjacent elevator opened as well.

Whoosh!

Over a dozen youths stepped out of the elevator. The one in the lead had inch-long hair and was wearing a martial arts uniform—his qi was not too weak, and was almost at rank-three.

He headed straight to Jiang He's room. Then he dragged a room attendant who happened to be behind him by the collar and barked, "Open this door!"

The attendant stuttered, "Sir, after a guest checks-in, we can't just…"

Slap!

The attendant was given a palm to the face before he finished as the young martial artist sneered. "Don't you know who I am? Don't you know who Young Master Wang is? His father is a class-B fire-type Awakened and the chief of Jiangnan's MAD intelligence wing. Are you going to taking responsibility after Young Master Wang was beaten up like that?"

Wang Shaoyu1, who was standing amongst the crowd with his swollen pig face, walked up and seized the room key card from the attendant's hand and opened Jiang He's room, breaking inside.

Furious to find Jiang He gone, he stomped his foot and plonked himself down on the couch, smirking, "To think that I, Wang Shaoyu would get beaten up by my own classmate in a reunion I host!"

The young martial artist walked up to him then and said, "Young Master Wang, that Jiang He must have liquid courage and was suicidal. He was always quiet back in university and would never dare to speak loudly, not to mention he was so poor he had to work part-time jobs. He's just trash!"

"That's right! We'll wait here until Jiang He returns!"

Their escorting group began to agree noisily, all of them feeling appearing indignant at the injustice!

Even if some of them were secretly delighted at Wang Shaoyu's miserable face, they would never show it—times had changed now, and since Wang Shaoyu's father had both strength and authority, everyone wants to fawn on him.

Soon.

A middle-aged man who carried a searing aura entered the room, barking, "What are you people doing here?"

Wang Shaoyu's body shuddered, but he quickly went up to the man, saying, "Why are you here, dad?"

The middle-aged man was indeed Wang Gang, Wang Shaoyu's father and a B-class pinnacle fire-type Awakened, and chief of Jiangnan's MAD intelligence wing.

His gaze lingered over Wang Shaoyu's face for heartbeats, a hurt look flashing over his eyes.

Having only gotten a son when he was advanced in years, how could he not feel pain with what's left of his face now?

"I came here to visit Elder Lin, the head of Sichuan's Lin clan when I heard from the manager that someone assaulted you… what actually happened?" Being a fire-type Awakened, Wang Gang naturally had quite a temper.

Hence, he took a seat on the sofa and growled, "I would really like to see who has the guts to beat up my son!"

Even if he knew that he held an important role at the MAD and that he had to follow the rules, he could hardly quell his rage when his son was beaten to that state.

Meanwhile, Jiang He had arrived outside room 7105.

Lin Tianzheng was wearing a modern Chinese tunic suit and all smiles. He greeted Jiang He, saying, "Good day, Mister Jiang. I'm Lin Tianzheng, and I've heard all about your feats from Miss Mu. You are truly the portrait of a young hero."

In reality, Lin Tianzheng first reaction towards Jiang He's accomplishment was doubt.

As a rank-five, he turned the tables against a rank-sevens, and against rank-eights at rank-six, slaying the Third Elder and the Sixth Elder of the Sky Demon Cult alone. In turn, he wrecked every plan the Sky Demon Cult had towards Lingzhou city, inflicting severe casualties upon them…

Of course, anyone normal would doubt such accomplishments.

Even so, as Sichuan's MAD chief, Lin Tianzheng had a certain level of clearance. As such, after reaching out and confirming those accomplishments, he felt shock, and even greater delight!

A genius martial artist must have gained some great providence, and he just might have treasures that could cure the Six-eyed Desert Spider's poison and promote longevity.

Beside Lin Tianzheng was another middle-aged man, and Lin Tianzheng introduced him, "Mister Jiang, this is Qin Fan, chief of Jiangnan city base's MAD."

Qin Fan appeared younger than Lin Tianzheng.

The impression he gave was that his qi was not exactly weak, and his martial arts cultivation was an average rank-six. Even so, he carried an intense sword will, and even if he kept it under wraps, it did not fool Jiang He's senses.

Jiang He and Qin Fan shook hands and shared a few polite greetings before Jiang He smiled, "Could you be a Royal Swordsman, Chief Qin?"

Qin Fan's expression twitched slightly. "You are just as your reputation suggests, good eye."

In fact, Qin Fan was very shocked.

He had not released his ability and anyone with lower spirit would never have noticed. And was it not mentioned that Jiang He was merely rank-seven?

Oh?

An idea struck Qin Fan then.

He realized that he could not see through Jiang He, but once he remembered Jiang He's feats, Qin Fan become relieved… the kid must possess some secret technique that covered his spirit presence and aura.

"Oh, by the way, Chief Lin, we've spoken before." Jiang He said then.

"Hmm?"

Lin Tianzheng appeared perplexed, so Jiang He added, "I once uploaded a post on the Warrior Home forum…"

At that, Lin Tianzheng's eyes widened and he exclaimed in surprise, "Eggplant? Cucumber?"

"That's right."

Jiang He laughed out loud, whereas Qin Fan was completely baffled.

Eggplant?

Cucumber?

What was that supposed to mean?

Jiang He did not bother to explain, however, and smiled, "Alright, let's have a look at Elder Lin's condition."

Once he entered Elder Lin's room, a vile stench struck the nose.

Jiang He walked to the bed to find a withered elderly man laying on the bed with a pitch-black hue on his face. Even if a strong power was suppressing the toxins within his body, the venom was still spreading all over his body, and some parts of him were already bleeding black pus.

Lin Tianzheng quickly said, "Mister Jiang, you've seen my father's condition. I wonder what antidote you have, and could it cure the poison of the Six-eyed Desert Spider?"

Jiang He shook his head, but said, "I am not a hundred percent certain, but we shall try."

"Alright!"

Lin Tianzheng was gritting his teeth. "I would give you the Orirocks I promised no matter what happens… by the way, where are your treasures, Mister Jiang?"

Although Lin Tianzheng could see that Jiang He was holding the first aid kit and the plastic bag that carried two lunchboxes, he did not believe that the treasure that could break the Six-eyed Desert Spider's venom was inside.

The treasures would either be Floral Spirits or some exotic wonder, and most certainly would be placed inside a unique treasure box.

And yet…

Jiang He put down the lunchboxes beside the bed, and then opened the first-aid kit.

There were two tiers in the first-aid kit. The upper tier had fewer spaces, and Jiang He kept over dozens of the Amoxicillin capsules he planted there.

He did not pack them, which was why they were quite scatted.

On the other hand, the bottom tier was the Bezoar Detox Pills, which were likewise unpacked and scattered. There were up to thirty of them, each of them thumb-sized.

Taking out three of those pills and handing it to Lin Tianzheng, Jiang He said, "Bezoar Detox Pills. Clears body heat and detoxes—try feeding Elder Lin for now."

Then, remembering the usage of the 'Bezoar Detox Pills', he instructed, "Remember to wash it down with warm water, and take it three times per day, keeping a four hour-gap between each consumption and take one pill on each occasion.

Lin Tianzheng: "…"

Chapter 158: Detox Solution 2: Cucumber and Carrot Shreds Coleslaw!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Lin Tianzheng questioned the meaning of his existence even as he stared at the three purple pills on his palm.

After a while, he looked up at Jiang He and showed him a pained smile. "You're not joking, are you, Mister Jiang? The Bezoar Detox Pills are ordinary detox pills that could treat the flu. How horrific is the venom of the rank-nine Six-eyed Desert Spider in comparison? Even divine-tier champions were helpless…"

Still, Jiang He had expected this.

Unconcerned and unoffended, he smiled, "Are ordinary Bezoar Detox Pills and the Bezoar Detox Pills I developed the same? Don't worry, Chief Lin. If the pills don't work, I still have a second detox solution."

"What are you doing spacing out for? Feed your father the pills now!"

"…"

Lin Tianzheng felt an urge to retort, and even suspected that Jiang He was out to mock him. In fact, he would have been throwing a fit if he had not heard of Jiang He's past 'accomplishments'.

"Whatever, things are dire enough that we should try anything. It's just a Bezoar Detox Pill—there shouldn't be any problem."

Lin Tianzheng then asked for an attendant and told him, "Go, bring me some warm water."

Within minutes, the attendant returned with what he asked.

Walking up to Elder Lin, Lin Tianzheng put the Bezoar Detox Pill in his mouth before spoon feeding him some warm water.

Having been unconscious in bed for almost three months, Elder Lin was kept alive thanks to a divine-tier elite's single breath of Innate Qi that kept his blood pumping. He had been fed fluids and the occasional glucose drip—because how could he take pills?

Let alone Jiang He's Bezoar Detox Pills that were the size of a finger joint!

However, after Lin Tianzheng fed Elder Lin the pill, the unconscious old man suddenly appeared to have difficulty breathing. His pitch-black face rapidly turned liver-red as his body quivered, and he kept making 'guh, guh, guh' noises.

Lin Tianzheng promptly reacted in delight, exclaiming, "The pill worked! The old man is reacting!"

"…"

Jiang He was shocked right then and there!

Was Lin Tianzheng even Elder Lin's biological son? What was with the 'pill working'? That's the sound of the pill getting stuck on his throat!

"Quick, help Elder Lin sit up!"

Qin Fan cried, and promptly walked up to slapped Elder Lin's back a few times.

Gak!

The pill that was stuck in the throat was finally swallowed, and Elder Lin returned to his peaceful unconscious state.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Jiang He said, "Alright, Chief Lin, let Elder Lin lie down now… By the way, keep an eye out when you're feeding Elder Lin pills from now on. Since he's unconscious, directing feeding the entire pill could easily get it stuck in his throat. The reason I asked you to get warm water is to let the pill dissolve in it before feeding Elder Lin."

Lin Tianzheng appeared embarrassed.

And beside them, Qin Fan appeared weirded out.

Leaving aside's Lin Tianzheng's antics… would the Bezoar Detox Pill really work?

Having been involved in the medical field before his awakening, Qin Fan was only too familiar with the Bezoar Detox Pill.

A specially made Bezoar Detox Pill? Was that not just nonsense?

It looked no different in color and smell to a normal Bezoar Detox Pill, and was just a bit bigger.

Nonetheless, he did not say anything since he was an outsider.

Meanwhile, Jiang He had closed his first-aid kit and went to sit in the living room outside.

Lin Tianzheng was staying at a luxury suite, and aside from the living room tv and couch, there was also a separate washroom.

Later, both Qin Fan and Lin Tianzheng joined him.

Lin Tianzheng in particular appeared somber and something to say, and eventually could not stop himself, "Mister Jiang, can I just ask… what's your second detox solution? The Bezoar Detox Pill didn't seem to work."

Jiang He smiled. "Patience, Chief Lin. Any medication needs time to work. How many minutes has it merely been? Let's wait for a while before deciding on anything."

To tell the truth, Jiang He was a little nervous too.

He could not help extending his spirit away from his body to subtly observe Elder Lin.

Still, Jiang He soon found the blackness on Elder Lin's body slowly fading. The process started from the face, and soon all the blackness on his neck, chest, back, and arms disappeared too.

The pitch-blackness was actually caused by the venom of Six-eyed Desert Spider and coursed through the veins to spread all over one's body. But right now, as the pitch-blackness from Elder Lin's body faded, his vigor gradually strengthened.

"The pill worked!"

Jiang He was in joy even as he sat on the sofa. Likewise, Qin Fan and Lin Tianzheng also felt the strengthening vigor.

While it was much weaker than the average person and a far cry from a rank-nine martial artist's vigor, it was still much stronger than the dwindling vigor Elder Lin had before.

Lin Tianzheng was the first one to rush into the bedroom.

Then, Jiang He turned towards the utterly confused Qin Fan and smiled. "Should we have a look, Chief Qin?"

"Sure, sure."

Qin Fan repeated himself, and muddleheadedly followed Jiang He into Elder Lin's room.

To be frank, he was blanking out.

A Bezoar Detox Pill, curing the rank-nine Six-eyed Desert Spider's venom?

Wasn't that just fantasy?

Be that as it may, Elder Lin's complexion appeared much better even as he remained on the bed and yet to regain consciousness.

Even Lin Tianzheng treated Jiang He differently now.

"At this state, Elder Lin could wake up in twenty-four hours."

Jiang He said then, "But that is too long. I shall commence the second detox solution and see if we could help your father wake up sooner."

"Eh?"

Taken aback, Lin Tianzheng turned towards Jiang He and asked, "Mister Jiang, you don't have to squander your other treasures since the pill worked, do you?"

As a matter fact, Lin Tianzheng wanted his father to wake up sooner too…

But even a donkey would know—was anything that could cure a rank-nine the rank-nine Six-eyed Desert Spider's venom anything mundane?

While the Bezoar Detox Pill appeared plain and simple, Mister Jiang did mention that he had concocted it specially, and there were no telling how many heavenly valuables he had spent in the process.

Jiang He, however, laughed out loud. "I have heard of Old Lin's feats, and using any treasure to help an old hero wake up sooner is no big deal… Moreover, this stuff isn't that valuable."

He then opened a lunchbox, and a sweet aroma instantly extended.

"Oh, wait. My mistake."

This one was stir-fried eggplant over leopard python meat.

As such, he opened the second lunchbox, which contained the cucumber and shredded carrot coleslaw.

Handing it to Lin Tianzheng, Jiang He said, "My maid made this specially. The shreds are thin and easily to swallow, and there's no pepper, and she even added some tofu skin for taste… now hurry up, and feed it to your father."

Lin Tianzheng: "…"

And while he blanked out, Qin Fan, who stood beside Lin Fan was left staring with bulging eyes.

'What the hell!

'Has he gone mad?

'Has the whole world gone mad???

'Sure, I am now convinced that those Bezoar Detox Pills could cure the rank-nine Six-eyed Desert Spider's venom, but what is with that coleslaw of cucumber and carrot shreds, with tofu skin added?

'And it detoxes too?'

If the Bezoar Detox Pill was indeed specially improved by Jiang He, could the fragrant coleslaw be specially made too?

Meanwhile, with the Bezoar Detox Pill's effect as precedent, Lin Tianzheng did not doubt Jiang He now at all. When he came to his senses, he quickly began to feed his old man.

The process was curiously smooth—the food did not get stuck in the old man's throat, at least.

Clearly, the old man had already regained a certain extent of consciousness and knew that he was swallowing food. Therefore, just as the coleslaw was almost finished, Elder Lin's eyelids twitched slightly, before he actually opened his eyes.

"Dad!"

"You've woken up?"

Lin Tianzheng's hands shook, almost dropping the lunchbox he was holding on the floor.

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Chapter 159: Get Down On Your Knees and Apologize!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Jiang He's nervous heart was finally relaxing after seeing Elder Lin slowly wake up.

Even so, that sight broke Qin Fan's world view even further.

Detoxed… just like that?

The Bezoar Detox Pill and the coleslaw cucumber over carrot shreds plus tofu skin combo really broke the rank-nine Six-eyed Desert Spider's venom?

"Chief Qin, let's step out for now. After having just woken up, Elder Lin must have a lot to talk about with Chief Lin."

Jiang He smiled as he rose, and dragged Qin Fan outside.

And once they were out there, Qin Fan could not stop himself from asking, "Mister Jiang, did that the coleslaw cucumber over carrot shreds plus tofu skin really have detox properties?"

Grinning as he took a seat on the sofa, Jiang He asked, "Are you a nutritionist, Chief Qin?"

"I come from a family of Chinese medicine practitioners. I also went to medical school and worked in the medical field for six years."

"Oh?"

Jiang He murmured in surprise. "I would never have known that you studied medicine, Chief Qin… wait, how did you awaken Royal Sword when you specialize in medicine?"

"What would studying medicine have to do with the power I awaken?"

Qin Fan appeared perplexed.

Even so, Jiang He answered seriously, "I think personal occupation has some connection with the powers a person awakens. In fact, I happen to know two Awakened—one of them was a blacksmith, and he awakened a hammer that could strike steel. The other worked construction and awakened a hammer too, but a rubber mallet used for tiling, to be specific."

Qin Fan: "…"

Jiang He chuckled, before adding, "And since you come from a family practicing Chinese Medicine, you must know some health regiments, and is aware that cucumbers clears body heat, detoxes, strengthening physique, spirit and mind, right?"

???

Qin Fan appeared utterly confused… did cucumbers really have such effect?

No, perhaps it did.

As a matter of fact, all fruits and vegetables contain essences that the human bodies need, and such effect would come to be after consumption.

Still, that effect was minor, and could a person really strengthen their physique by eating cucumbers every day? And would it really detox?

Beside him, Jiang He then lowered his voice, saying, "But what if the cucumber were a floral spirit?"

Qin Fan twitched, his eyes sparkling as he muttered, "After becoming a floral spirit, the cucumber's effect would magnify by a hundred, or even a thousand times. It makes sense that the cucumber could detox, then."

Hehe.

Jiang He sneered inwardly.

'Makes sense, my foot.

'I was just making things up.

'After all…

'I plant these cucumbers!'

That said, wasn't the effect of the cucumbers he planted more or less equal to similar floral spirits?

"Floral spirits, floral spirits…"

Meanwhile, Qin Fan was musing to himself before asking, "Are the carrots floral spirits as well, Mister Jiang?"

He gave a thumb-up when he saw Jiang He nod, grinning, "Awesome. I've never really conceded to anyone in my life, but I do yield to your superiority, Mister Jiang!"

After all, floral spirits were a must have!

Each were inestimable in value and only obtained by chance. If Qin Fan himself was in Jiang He's boots and got his hands on such a cucumber, he would hoard it like treasure—why make it into coleslaw?

Qin Fan did not know that Jiang He had planted those cucumbers directly that weighed several hundred catties altogether… and almost got sick of it a while ago!

After over a dozen minutes, Lin Tianzheng stepped out of his room.

However, he did not appear pleased.

Frowning, Jiang He asked, "Did Elder Lin become unconscious again, Chief Lin?"

"No."

Lin Tianzheng chuckled bitterly. He did not explain himself, and merely said, "My father wishes to meet you and thank you face-to-face, Mister Jiang."

Jiang He was taken aback…

Why the sour face if he wasn't unconscious?

'If I didn't know, I would've thought your father was still in danger.'

Nonetheless, Jiang He entered the room to find Elder Lin struggling to get up, so he quickly pressed him down, asking, "What are you doing, Elder Lin?"

A begrudging smile appeared over Elder Lin's withered, skinny face then. "I have to bow to you for saving my life, Mister Jiang."

"You're exaggerating, Elder Lin."

Jiang He grinned. "You've served our country and its people, uncowed by danger. It is natural that I should save you, moreover… I have my own reasons too."

"Tianzheng had told me about you," Elder Lin replied. "Years ago, I had obtained some Orircoks from a heritage site, but I've used some in my cultivation over the years. That said, I still have fourteen left, and I'll have Tianzheng give you all of them later."

"Many thanks."

Jiang He did not hold back—he need that stuff in the first place.

As for Long Mountain Lin…

He was a rank-nine elite in the first place with unmatched cultivation, even though he felt like a hero on his last days now.

Then, he called for Lin Tianzheng and reinstructed him about the matter of Orirocks again. Lin Tainzheng nodded—he had brought the Orirocks, and would bring them to Jiang He soon.

Only then did Lin Tianzheng breathe a long sigh. "Oh, you… why go through the trouble? I've burnt down my essence and Innate Qi to slay those vermin, and I didn't have long to live anyway. In fact, I'm at my limit even though I've recovered—what good was reviving me?"

Lin Tianzheng's eyes went red as he said, "Don't say that, Dad. You are a top rank-nine elite and it wouldn't be a problem for you to live up to a hundred and fifty years old, or two hundred if you reach divine-tear."

"I know my own body's condition!"

Long Mountain Lin appeared quite open-minded, even chuckling, "Tianzheng, make arrangements so that we could reach Old Tai'an tonight. I'll recuperate for a while, and when I'm on death's door, I'll kill another rank-nine Feral in celebration!"

"…"

Jiang He finally understood why Lin Tianzheng was scowling.

Still…

Who did these people think they were being so dismissive with?

'I've said that I have treasures that promote longevity too, but did you forget that?'

Jiang He smiled while giving a thumb-up. "You are a bold one, Elder Lin, but is killing merely one rank-nine Feral enough? From where I stand, you could live much longer and kill more of those beasts."

Long Mountain Lin laughed out loud, saying, "I can't wait to kill every living Feral, but I'm too old—my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. I'd live another month at best, and even if I rested well, I could kill one Feral at best before I die."

Jiang He quietly took the other lunchbox beside the bed.

It contained the stir-fried eggplant over leopard python meat with rice beneath.

Pinching an eggplant with chopsticks, he said, "Here, Elder Lin. Open up."

Long Mountain Lin did a double take, but opened his mouth to eat the eggplant anyway.

"Isn't this eggplant? It tastes good… eh?"

Long Mountain Lin's expression changed then!

Behind Jiang He, Qin Fan's whole body twitched again as he could not help exclaiming, "Mister Jiang, could this eggplant be a floral spirit too?"

"Yup."

Jiang He replied flatly. "And this eggplant promotes longevity, as well as eases swells and stops bleeding."

At the same time, Lin Tianzheng's eyes twinkled as he turned towards Long Mountain Lin and asked anxiously, "How do you feel, Dad?"

Long Mountain Lin closed his eyes, carefully sensing his body and soon opening his eyes abruptly and exclaiming in delight, "All my rotten qi is recovering and my vigor is strengthening… I feel like live another six months now!"

"Moreover…"

The old man rolled up his sleeves, the pus-filled bite mark from the Six-eyed Desert Spider over his skinny arm slowly healing.

With that, Jiang He handed Lin Tianzheng the lunchbox, saying, "Go, feed your dad. He would live another three to five years if you finish the eggplant."

"Just the eggplants, though, and not the meat. It's rank-seven Leopard Python meat, so it's excessively nourishing. Meat and fish aren't good for him since he recently regained consciousness."

"…"

Lin Tianzheng's hands shuddered a little at that.

An eggplant that promoted longevity, as well as eased swells and stopped bleedings?

Rank-seven Leopard Python meat?

Wasn't this lunchbox exceedingly extravagant?

"Oh, and there's rice beneath too…"

Jiang He added then, which prompted weirded-out looks from Long Mountain Lin, Lin Tianzheng and Qin Fan as they looked towards Jiang He.

A little embarrassed from the stares, Jian He scratched the back of his head and grinned, "Well, I'm a long way from home. My maid was worried, so she prepared a few more lunchboxes for me…"

"Eat, Elder Lin. That's all you have to do. I still have some in my room… and I had some myself just a while ago."

Back in Jiang He's room.

Wang Gang was fidgeting.

He had been waiting for two hours.

His son, whose face was beaten swollen sat nearby, whereas his classmates stood outside the door.

Frowning, Wang Gang asked, "Are you sure the brat who hit you is staying here? By the way, why would he hit you?"

At first, Wang Gang was absolutely furious when he saw his son's miserable state, and could not wait to get the bastard who assaulted his son and burn off every last hair on his body.

And yet, he calmed down after sitting for two hours.

He knew very well what his son was like… would anyone beat him up for no reason?

Wang Shaoyu did not dare to lie to his father either, and so told him about everything that happened.

Wang Gang's glowered at that and barked, "You and your behavior!"

"How many times have I told you not to cause trouble whether at home or outside, Wang Shaoyu? How could you mock that Jiang He when he's your university classmate?"

"Dad," Wang Shaoyu said unhappily then, "I may be at fault first, but he shouldn't beat me…"

That was one someone shouted from the outside, "Jiang He is here!"

"Oh?"

Wang Shaoyu promptly rose to his feet, seething, "Don't stop me, dad. I'll beat that rascal Jiang He to death!"

"Hmm?"

Wang Gang shot him a glare and said, "Classmates should support each other. You mocked him, and he beat you up in return—you're even now."

With that, he strode outside, having no intention to care about the matter.

Even so…

The group of people outside had surrounded Jiang He to curry favor with Wang Shaoyu.

To be precise…

They surrounded Jiang He, Long Mountain Lin, Lin Tianzheng and Qin Fan.

After finishing an entire portion of stir-fried eggplant over meat and even cleaning out the rice beneath, Long Mountain Lin was no longer his poisoned self. In fact, his body had recovered by a major leap, and he could practice his sword technique, let alone move around!

He even personally escorted Jiang He when the latter headed back to his room.

And if Long Mountain Lin would escort him, would Lin Tianzheng or Qin Fan dare to not follow?

However, once they stepped out of the elevator, someone cried out 'Jiang He', and then over a dozen people came to surround them.

"You've got guts, Jiang He. To think that you would dare to assault Young Master Wang…"

"Jiang He, have you lost your mind? Liu Xue actually wooed you once before, and now you beat her up until she end up looking like that?"

"Jiang He…"

All of them were clamoring after him, leaving Jiang He confused.

This group of people…

Were they really 'his' university classmates?

Don't they ever care about the news? Qin Fan, who was standing behind him is the chief of the Martial Arts Department (MAD) of Jiangnan city base, and a public figure regardless, was he not? Or could they not see him?

That was when the youth with inch-long hair walked up, scanning Jiang He from head to toe and smiled fiercely. "Jiang He, since we were classmates, if you kneel, apologize and slap yourself thirty times, I wouldn't press charges in Young Master Wang's stead."

Jiang He frowned, puzzled, "And you would be…"

"You don't recognize me already?" The inch-long hair said coldly. "I'm Zhou Yu, the one who always beat you up back at university."

Pow!

Jiang He had raised his leg and directly kicked inch-long hair on the chest, who in turn felt an enormous force striking his body as he flew backwards. Knocking down the other classmates behind him, he crashed through the wall of the corridor and landed inside on of the hotel rooms.

With that, Jiang He smiled. "Zhou Yu is a nice name, but Deputy Zhou speaks in Minister Wang's stead and is one of the top rank-nines. How dare a trash rank-three like you bark in my face?"

Wang Gang, who just stepped out of Jiang He's room was first shocked, before his eyes tightened.

Chief… Chief Qin?

And the one beside Chief Qin… wasn't it Chief Lin Tianzheng, who was in charge of Sichuan's MAD?

Then, when he found Long Mountain Lin, he looked as if he had seen a ghost… he had come to Hotel Caesar today to visit Elder Lin, and was naturally aware of his condition… but he's alright now?

Any one of those trio were big-shots, even to him!

And then there was that handsome youth who stood before them…

"Jiang He, resident of Lingzhou City, slaying rank-sevens at rank-five, as well as rank-eights and nines at rank-six.

"His body count includes five heavenly generals (Earth Demon, Tranquil, Earthen Diction, Earthen Savage and Earthen Majesty), five grands (Guilty Star, Brave Star Bound Star, Killer Star and Pain Star) as well as the Third Elder and the Fifth Elder of the Sky Demon Cult!"

Information about Jiang He instantly surfaced in Wang Gang's mind then.

He was quite familiar with him after all…

When Lin Tianzheng received Mu Wanqiu's phone call, he had already arrived at Jiangnan.

Nonetheless, he felt skeptical about Mu Wanqiu's introduction of Jiang He, which was why he visited Jiangnan's MAD and requested Qin Fan to look into Jiang He…

And at the time, Wang Gang himself was the one conducting the investigation.

There was little wonder why he thought that the name 'Jiang He' sounded so familiar when his son mentioned it. Nonetheless, Wang Gang had presumed that a classmate of his son must be from Jiangnan as well, which was why he did not manage to connect the dots.

"Jiang He!"

Wang Shaoyu shrieked then, totally oblivious of the situation. Clutching at Wang Gang's arm, he kept yelling at Jiang He, "Dad, that's him, that's him! He's the one who hit me!"

"Bastard!"

Wang Gang firmly shook off Wang Shaoyu's hand and slapped him across the face, his eyes going red as he barked, "Get down on your knees and apologize!"

Report chapter

Chapter 160: Sword Will Barrenwort

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

For Jiang He, the incident with Wang Shaoyu was merely a pinch of spice in his trip to Jiangnan.

Waving and gesturing for the frightfully kneeling Wang Shaoyu to make himself scarce, Jiang He then returned to his room.

"What's going on?"

Qin Fan frowned at Wang Gang, who wiped the sweat over his brow and felt a dryness in his throat. He spoke a little hoarsely, "I'll explain later Chief Qin."

After that, he went outside to handle the problem there.

As for his son…

Needless to say, he would be given some affection of the stick.

As for his classmates…

"Take Zhou Yu to the hospital. Mister Jiang was holding back so he was not too hurt—I'll come up with something to help him recover."

Nonetheless, having caused such a major commotion that startled both the hotel's management and its staff, Wang Gang had to negotiate and pay for damages.

Still, he certainly had things going for him since he could hold the position of Martial Arts Department (MAD) intelligence chief in Jiangnan city, and soon settled everything.

After that, Wang Gang gritted his teeth as he returned nervously to Jiang He's room, bowing with a fist-palm salute as he spoke respectfully to Jiang He, "Mister Jiang, allow me to apologize in my son's stead for his misdeeds."

Waving him off, Jiang He said, "It's fine. He offended me at first and I taught him a lesson in return, so we're even. However, as a former classmate of your son, allow me some friendly advice…"

"Your son's attitude needs changing. If nothing was done and he provoked someone else, he would not merely walk away with a beating."

Wang Gang nodded, afraid to say much. "You are right, Mister Jiang. I'm grounding him and have him reflect on his wrongs when I get home."

Inside, he was gritting his teeth in sheer frustration!

"When I get back, I'm breaking that insolent boy's legs!"

"Mister Jiang, Elder Lin, Chief Lin."

"I have some work back at MAD, so I'll be leaving first. Allow me to treat everyone to dinner later—I'll be your host for tonight." Soon, Qin Fan left as well, leaving Jiang He, Long Mountain Lin, and Lin Tianzheng in Jiang He's room.

After some idle conversation, Jiang He asked about the auction. Long Mountain Lin himself had been in a coma for almost three months and only woke up today, which was why he naturally was not aware about the auction.

Lin Tianzheng then began, "About that, Mister Jiang…"

"Oh?"

Just as Lin Tianzheng was about to speak, Long Mountain Lin snorted at a corner and bark, "Insolent. I'm brothers with Jiang He now, and you're still calling him Mister Jiang?"

Lin Tiangzheng blushed and stammered for a long time, before quietly saying, "Uncle Jiang…"

"What's a big man like you acting coy for? Honestly, what have I always taught you?"

Long Mountain Lin appeared utterly disappointed as he rebuked his son. "Speak louder."

One must say that the old man had quite a quirky temper.

After he regained consciousness, he seemed to have become familiar with Jiang He at first sight, addressing him first as 'Mister Jiang' and now 'Brother Jiang He'.

In turn, Jiang He addressed him as 'Old Bro Lin'.

With that, it seems appropriate for Lin Tianzheng to address him as 'Uncle Jiang'.

Be that as it may, having a man nearing fifty calling him 'uncle' weirded out Jiang He no matter how he thought about it, which was why he quickly said, "Please, Chief Lin. You are my senior in the martial world, and by reason I should call you uncle instead."

Lin Tianzheng appeared pleased and politely replied, "You flatter me."

And yet, Long Mountain Lin coolly said, "Jiang He addresses me as brother—are you brave enough to answer when he calls you uncle? Should I call you dad too?"

Lin Tianzheng looked like he was forced to eat a fly.

Still, he understood the old man's temper, which was why he said compliantly, "Don't say that, dad. You've bonded well with Uncle Jiang on your first meeting and are equals, so I ought to call Uncle Jiang uncle at least once."

Jiang He, unable to decide if he should laugh or cry, answered, "Let's just go with suit ourselves, Old Bro Lin. The people of my village always do that."

As he spoke, he turned towards Lin Tianzheng and asked, "What do you think, Bro Lin?"

Still, Jiang He felt that the title was weird right after he said it. Was he not degrading Long Mountain Lin's seniority down to his son's level?

Hence, he quickly said, "Scratch that, it's alright for you to call me uncle. Age does not matter when it comes to seniority, and there old white-haired folks who call youths uncles back in my village."

Lin Tianzheng: "…"

Hence, he skipped that part of their conversation and continued about the auction, saying, "The auction this time is organized jointly by the three great clans: the Murong clan, the Long clan, and the Wei clan. This is considered the first public auction of various martial arts resources following the Revival of Qi."

Long Mountain Lin then added, "The Revival of Qi spreads martial arts far and wide and brought forth the awakening of superpowers. With the government's promotion of martial arts nationwide, martial art resources are fated to be a giant cake. With the long history of the Murong clan, the Long clan, and the Wei clan, they do have the strength to hold such an auction."

Beside them, Jiang He was utterly bemused.

Murong clan, the Long clan, the Wei clan, and whatnot…

To tell the truth, he had not heard of any of them. Having only become a martial artist for a month and several days, how was he supposed to know about these martial arts clan with centuries worth of history?

Either way, they sounded awesome—it was said that everyone in those clans practiced martial arts, and had rank-eights or even rank-nines presiding over them. Their centuries worth of legacy also helped them accumulate endless wealth, and they were definitely aristocrats.

According to Long Mountain Lin, there were more of such clans across the nation with varying strength, with some having ancestors reaching divine-tier or the void-tier.

"By the way, I heard that the three clans had even placed a Spatial Ring and a Sword Will Barrenwort on auction to increase the attraction and popularity of their event."

Lin Tianzheng suddenly added then.

Spatial Ring?

Jiang He's eyes twitched, whereas Long Mountain Lin abruptly rose to his feet and murmured in disbelief, "The Sword Will Barrenwort?"

"That's right."

"I've confirmed that the Sword Will Barrenwort is no ruse—the three great clans are investing their blood and sweat in this. Dad, you are a sword will elite who holds profound understanding towards it, so there is hope for you to gain perfect sword will if we could get the Sword Will Barrenwort."

Lin Tianzheng's eyes were shining as he quietly said, "And with perfect sword will, you would at least have a greater hope of reaching divine-tier!"

Long Mountain Lin paced around, before he gritted his teeth and said, "That settles it—we will compete for the Sword Will Barrenwort. There are not many sword wielders at rank-eight or nine, and there's hope if we tried to fight for it."

Offering Jiang He a fist-palm salute, he said, "Brother Jiang He, I shall be off to gather the funds. Let's meet again at tomorrow's auction."

Once father and son hurried away, Jiang He slapped himself on the forehead when they were gone. "Damn it, me and my memory… Elder Lin is an elite who has grasped the Boundary of Wills too, and I should have asked him about thunder will…"

And it was awkward chasing them down now.

Jiang He thought about it…

"Whatever, I'll ask about it at tomorrow's auction… Now that I have fourteen Orirocks, all that's left are two portions of rank-nine Feral flesh and my farm could level up."

He then checked the time.

Somehow, it was already four in the afternoon. He took out and finished lunchbox, passing it as dinner before he left the hotel and climbed into his sports car.

"Destination, Chongming Island!"

Jiang He issued a voice command inside.

Since the auction would be held tomorrow morning anyway and it was dull sleeping in the hotel, he could use this time to slay that Black King Drake or whatnot on Chongming Island, gathering all the materials he needed to level up his farm on one go.

Unbeknownst to Jiang He, however, just as he left the Jiangnan city base and headed towards Chongming Island…

Jiangnan city's MAD, around six in the evening.

Wang Gang handed a report to Qin Fan.

There was a somber look on the former's face as he said quietly, "Chief Qin. It appears that someone has captured images of thunderclouds gathering above Chongming Island, a weird phenomenon that hangs up in the air… That vermin might have ascended!"

Qin Fan's face dropped and he quickly said, "Contact HQ right away and contact General Zhao, who's in charge of the garrison in our district. Once the Black King Drake metamorphizes into a King Feral, it would cause unrest amongst the Feral hordes surrounding Chongming Island, and it could cause a Feral swarming!"

Report chapter

Chapter 161: Let's Go Big!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Like a massive machine, the Martial Arts Department (MAD) of Jiangnan city base promptly went to work, receiving intelligence reports and other information before circulating them.

"Intelligence suggests that the Black King Drake of Chongming Island succeeded in its ascension above rank-nine. Right now, Ferals in a radius of several hundred miles from Chongming Island are becoming restless and flocking towards it… in less than three days, a great Feral Swarm would form."

Qin Fan appeared somber, and relayed the information he received immediately to MAD headquarters.

A Feral's ascension to a King Feral would definitely cause a Feral Swarm. This seemingly unreasonable phenomenon had become an unwritten rule: there would be unrest whenever a Feral ascended above rank-nine, and they would immediately attack a human city.

The ascension of Mount Dadong's Graywolf King saw an assault on human settlements too, but the government's immediate evacuation of the citizens kept casualties low, and the threat of a nuclear bomb prevented any unrest.

In fact, Long Mountain Lin had been wounded because of the unrest caused by a Feral's ascension to King Feral.

Once such a Feral Swarm overflow, the scale would definitely be grand. Moreover, the Feral King would control the swarm without joining the fight, or divine-tier humans would get involved. Even so, the scale of destruction that thousands of Ferals could cause was exceedingly horrifying, and a while ago, Yunnan's Jinghong City was almost destroyed by a Feral Swarm, causing over a million casualties.

The battle was simple horrific that the newly ascended Black Ape King even joined the fight, although it was eventually slain by the blade of one human martial artist.

"Investigate immediately!"

Qin Fan growled. "Notify the filed intelligence officers to put a twenty-four-hour surveillance on Chongming Island!"

"Located at Changjiang Delta, Chongming Island is not far from other cities including Jiangnan, Yangzhou, Jiaxing, and Shanghai. We must confirm the city they are targeting before the Feral Swarm starts moving!"

Wang Gang acknowledged his orders with a fist-palm salute before turning and leave.

Meanwhile, Qin Fan leaned on his chair for a long time before making a call.

"Deputy Zhou…"

"No worries, Chief Qin," Zhou Yu replied. "I've already informed Minister Wang and diverted various elites from other provinces."

"Moreover, aren't the three great martial clans— the Murong clan, the Long clan, and the Wei clan all in Jiangnan now? There are also many other elites there, and I've just contacted the clans myself. When the fight breaks out, their elites would all join the fight."

Qin Fan was pleased, but soon chuckled bitterly. "Deputy Zhou, you know those martial clans always prioritize profits…"

Deputy Zhou chuckled coldly at that. "Minister Wang had already said that repelling the Feral Swarm and protecting their homes is the greatest profit there is. If those three clans disobey your instructions, their existence is unnecessary."

At those words, Zhou Yu turned to look behind himself.

Wang Hou was smoking a cigar and leaning on his genuine leather chair while resting his foot on the desk leisurely.

There was a Thermos cup on his desk, holding Wang Hou's favorite caterpillar fungus plus wolfberry drink.

Zhou Yu's whole body felt unsettled at the sight of Wang Hou's posture and the Thermos cup on the desk, and could not help asking, "Minister Wang, you are now a void-tier elite and the highest authority of the MAD. There might be some negativity if the media caught of a photo of you acting like this, surely?"

Snuffing out the cigar and taking a sip from the Thermos cup, Wang Hou flatly said, "Could the media photograph me without my permission?"

"And even if they did, would they dare to circulate it without my permission?'

"So what if I'm Void-tier? I'm still human, and can't I drink some wolfberry for my kidneys?"

Spitting out a wolfberry he had inadvertently drank, Wang Hou then rose to stand beside the window, saying, "Old Zhou, contact Chief Commander Li at the military and Minister Huang of the Ministry of Education… Let's go big this time. That Black King Drake is just a newly ascended King Feral and not too powerful, so contact ten top rank-eights and rank-nines to see if they could kill it!"

Zhou Yu winced at that, and he was about to speak when Wang Hou stopped him, smirking as he turned around. "If they succeed, we could kill any new King Ferals that intend to incite Feral Swarms, until every new Feral King wouldn't have the guts to do so."

"Minister Wang, the other King Ferals wouldn't agree to that, would they?"

Wang Hou replied indifferently, "It's war if they disagree. We'll just take them with us and baptize the world with nuclear warheads. Could the Ferals survive, even if we humans all went extinct in the process?"

"Hell!"

"Stirring a Feral Swarm just because they ascended? Who on earth gave those vermins such right?"

Zhou Yu felt his blood boil and surge at that, and he quietly said, "Count me in on the Black King Drake's death then!"

"Minister Wang, I'll contact the military and the Ministry of Education right away and dispatch ten top rank-nine elites—fifteen if they weren't enough, or every last rank-nine in the country. I'll never believe they can't take out a new King Feral!"

In short, a single King Feral's ascension had left the Hua Nation's top command in shock.

Meanwhile, Jiang He was now deep into the wildlands and getting ever closer to Chongming Island.

After driving 200 miles out of Jiangnan, he got off his car.

The road ahead was very much ruined, with signs of fighting everywhere, as well as giant Feral footprints that left a deep mark into the road.

Alighting and putting his sports car into his System Backpack, Jiang He casted Blind Princess's Eight Practices and sprinted towards Chongming Island.

Even as he darted away, his mind was remembering information about the island.

Located on the Changjiang Delta area, Chongming Island was once prosperous, with many development areas and scenic areas nearby.

It was also the converging point of many rivers as they flowed into the sea.

Nonetheless, the area fell to a sharp decline following the Revival of Qi.

There were constant Feral attacks at the rivers, with behemoths rising from the oceans and going on wanton rampages.

And now, Chongming Island was basically an isle of death for humans.

"Sigh…

"This place was supposed to be bustling, and yet it turned out like this!"

On his way to Chongming Island, Jiang He saw ruins of cities, towns and factories, as well as rusting vehicles on both sides of the road and dried bones.

Even so, Jiang He was quite surprised and puzzled…

As he continued running, the Ferals he encountered were common ones, and were either rank-one and rank-two.

"Aren't Ferals nocturnal? Why do I always have a hard time encountering them whenever I come out at night?"

"Perhaps the Ferals' habit had changed, and now they sleep at night?"

Still, that thought was soon moot.

As he approached Chongming Island, Jiang He noticed in delight that there were more Ferals around him now!

Report chapter

Chapter 162: Cleaning Up With A Nuclear Rocket Launcher

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Hold on… why are there so many Ferals?"

"Something's not right!"

Jiang He's delight slowly stiffened then, and he leapt atop an abandoned bus parked nearby.

Though it was nighttime, Jiang He's vision had grown stronger by the day. Moreover, the moon was not too dark, which made it no different from morning for Jiang He.

He looked out to find over a dozen of Ferals.

All of them were bounding towards the same direction where Jiang He himself was advancing.

Then, before that dozen of Ferals vanished from sight, another few Ferals charged forward from the distance in the night. In fact, when one of them passed by Jiang He's bus, it merely looked up at him once before continuing to run ahead.

"…"

Jiang He looked visibly puzzled.

He jumped off the bus and killed the Feral with a single slap, and could not help exclaiming, "What on earth is this?

"Perhaps…

"Could a treasure be born over there?"

That idea struck Jiang He then.

From his experience from reading novels, a treasure's birth could well be the reason for such a phenomenon. It could possess the ability to evolve Ferals, which was why so many of them were attracted to it.

"No, that's not it!"

"If that's the case, the Ferals would lose their rationality over the treasure, and resort to fighting or even killing each other…"

Still, since Jiang He would not know the cause, he saved himself the trouble of thinking.

Killing a few Ferals was a good thing anyway, and the night was still long, and he would not fall asleep even if he went back to his hotel now.

Hence, Jiang He continued forward, drawing out his Dragon-Slaying Saber and cutting down any Feral he could reach. He would even keep trying to fuse thunder will into his blade to strengthen its power whenever in attack.

He noticed in surprise then that thunder will could even be fused into his Ninefold Thunderblade technique, slightly increasing its damage.

Soon, Chongming Island was within sight.

It was quite a big island that spanned almost 1200 square kilometers, with several hundred thousand people inhabiting it. Continuous accumulation of river washed down towards it by increased its size by five square kilometers annually, and certain specialists had forecasted that the island would eventually connect to land.

And now, the land on both sides of Chongming Island was not far.

Jiang He, standing at the northern end of the island was facing a kilometer-wide river that was flowing serenely.

There were many gigantic Ferals gathered by the riverbanks, all of them keeping quiet while staring collectively towards Chongming Island.

From a single glance, one could see that there were no less than a thousand Ferals gathered there, the strongest of which were rank-seven and the weakest rank-two.

Furthermore, their numbers were slowly growing as Ferals continued running there to join the horde, and at this rate, the Ferals' number would increase by several times in less than two days, reaching thousands or even dozen thousand!

Jiang He's eyes tightened even as he hid above a tree three kilometers to the rear.

A possibility crossed his mind.

"Feral Swarm!"

"With so many Ferals gathered here, a Feral Swarm would definitely ignite!"

"Damn it!"

Jiang He clenched his teeth. Once the Feral Swarm attacked a city, there was no telling how many would die before they could repel their assault, and the city might even fall…

After some thought, he quietly drew out his Dragon God-Type Nuclear Rocket Launcher from his System Backpack, and loaded a 200-ton yield nuclear warhead.

[W-55 Nuclear Warhead]

[Yield: 200 tons]

[Explosive radius: 8km]

To avoid the Feral Swarm from attacking a human city and inflict massive casualties, it was only logical to chase them off before the swarm took shape.

Without sparing any words, Jiang He fired the nuclear warhead instantly.

Whoosh!

A sharp burst through the air cut through the silent night sky. The W-55 nuclear warhead, propelled by the momentum of the Dragon God-Type Nuclear Rocket Launcher, shot towards the flocks of gathered Ferals, leaving a long trail of flame behind it…

Meanwhile.

On a water tower around ten kilometers away, several figures could be seen hiding on the roof.

The water tower had long since been abandoned, with a flying Feral having nested on top. It was dead now, however, as the elites of Jiangnan MAD's intelligence wing lurked there.

From there, they could observe what happened on Chongming Island with their night vision binoculars, and there was also an Awakened with all-seeing eye powers amongst them.

Unlike the other all-seeing eye working under Pudgy Jiang, this intelligence officer's powers had reached B-class, and had equipped a headset.

That was when he suddenly could not hold back from exclaiming, "There's a person approaching Chongming Island, just nearby the gathering Feral Swarm!"

"What?"

Everyone's face dropped at that, and a middle-aged man could not help cursing, "Which blind fool is that suicidal?" With that many Ferals gathered, the swarm might attack before schedule if they're startled!"

The middle-aged man immediately contacted Wang Gang, chief of Jiangnan's MAD intelligence wing, growling, "We've got jumped boss. Unknown martial artist spotted approaching the swarm…"

"What the hell!"

"RPG!"

And yet, even before he finished, the Awakened with all-seeing eye cried out in surprise.

In the very next instant!

Boom!

An enormous explosion thundered! Everyone rushed to the edge of the water tower to find a blinding white light blazing where the Ferals had flocked. Night was illuminated into daytime, and even from ten kilometers away, the light was blinding to their eyes.

A small mushroom cloud rose as the light fades.

Raaaawr!

Countless beats shrieked and bellowed, only to have another rocket fired towards their direction in the next second!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three kilometers away from the explosions, the massive tree was already vaporized by the shockwave from the blasts. But at Jiang He's thought, his Dark Golden Combat and Nature Qi had materialized and shielded his body, with his True Qi forming a defensive screen as well to protect himself.

He then proficiently and rapidly loaded his nuclear warheads and fired four times, each with his W-55 nuclear warhead rounds of 200 ton-yield. As such, within five seconds, a dazzling radiance shone around the beasts flocking at the riverbanks…

As he listened to the Ferals' crazed shrieks, howls and bellows, Jiang He had an unbearable look on his face…

"Oh, there are just so many of them," he sighed. "How much could I have sold them for if I killed them in the usual way? Some of them must taste good too…"

"Eh? There's actually one straggler?"

He hence gave chase, blade in hand, promptly cutting the Feral down with some wild swings.

Either way, the thousand-over Ferals were definitely now blown to hell. Even if they were not dead, the incredible radiation would ensure that they did not live for long… unless there were more freakishness.

That was when a draconic roar echoed from Chongming Island, following by more roars that rang across the night like thunderbolts.

"The Black King Drake???"

Jiang He frowned…

He could sense a heart wrenching, terrifying aura even from afar, and it eclipsed even the Third Elder of the Sky Demon Cult.

"No wonder it was said that the Black King Drake is one of the strongest rank-nine. Its aura is actually that powerful?"

"Even when compared to me… it seemed to be a few notches stronger?"

Jiang He was shocked, but he soon composed himself.

"It's better if it's powerful. Would it have been interesting if I could kill it with a few slashes?"

Laughing out loud, he charged his Nine Yang True Qi, materializing the silhouette of several suns behind himself. Bounding across the radioactive wasteland directly, he darted towards Chongming Island.

Still, Jiang He had no idea that the Black King Drake had ascended from rank-nine pinnacle to above rank-nine just this morning…

"Black King Drake, come face your death!" He yelled nonetheless.

His raging cry resounded over dozens of miles!

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Chapter 163: The Black King Drake Is As Gifted As My Dog Back Home

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The water tower ten kilometers away.

The martial artist working for Jiangnan's Martial Arts Department (MAD) intelligence wing had yet to hang up on Wang Gang.

Wang Gang could hear the violent explosion even across the call.

And it was not fading even after a long time.

"What's going on?" Wang Wang asked somberly.

"Rocket launcher… it has to be a nuclear rocket launcher. Heavens!"

An exclamation reached Wang Gang's ears, and he did not even have to ask to know what had happened.

"Black King Drake, come face your death!"

Jiang He's raging cry likewise reached Wang Gang's ears from over the phone, making him shudder and almost dropping his phone.

"Has a divine-tier champion attacked?"

"No, divine-tier champions would not take action so easily, over they would start a grand battle between beings above rank-nine… could it be one of the top rank-nines?"

Wang Gang shivered inwardly.

That was too likely!

Even his intelligence wing had only learned of the Black King Drake's ascension this afternoon—could that elite who was attacking Chongming Island be unaware of the Black King Drake's ascension?

"Quick, connect me to Chief Qin right away!"

Wang Gang was absolutely nervous now.

Meanwhile, Jiang He was unleashing the full power of his aura.

His True Qi circulating, the silhouette of five colossal suns arose behind him just as Indestructible Diamond was being charged to full capacity, Nature Qi encircling him while waves of a dragon's roar and an elephant's trumpeting echoed. His figure then moved, casting the Blind Princess's Eight Practices as he bounded over Chongming Island.

The river in front of Jiang He was over a thousand meters wide, but he did not pause, and simply landed on the surface before continuing above it.

Even so, the calm river was now surging with undercurrents, as various behemoths rapidly closed in from its depths.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, there was a massive splash ahead, followed by a raging bellow as a gigantic Feral Crocodile almost thirty meters in length opened its fearsome jaw, biting down towards Jiang He.

'Rank-seven crocodile?'

Jiang He thought, and his blade slashed out immediately.

Snikt!

There was a flash of thunder as his slash cut to the hair, instantly cutting the rank-seven crocodile in two. But in the instant that it landed back in the water, more aquatic Ferals came lunging.

There were rank-fives and rank-sixes, as well as two more rank-sevens attacking Jiang He in tandem.

Jiang He raised his blade and kept slashing, killing both rank-twos. Then, firmly stamping on the head of a rank-six crocodile, he leaped high above and landed on Chongming Island.

Crack!

The crocodile's skull instantly blew up.

At the same time, Jiang He handed on the shore to find the kilometer-wide river churning, every last Feral shrieking and bellowing as they swam in his direction.

"Horrific. Anyone with trypophobia would be throwing up at such a sight!"

Jiang He shuddered.

Aquatic Ferals were clustered together in the kilometer-wide river, the most eye-catching being a giant crab that stood over two-floors high.

Having a shell as hard as tungsten, it floated down the surface of the river, its enormous claws glinting in cool light…

It would definitely be delicious if it evolved into an emperor crab dish.

Nonetheless, drawing out a handful of strengthened pea bombs, Jiang He threw it all out on the river.

Boooom!

A violent radiance shone within the river, illuminating the light.

Then, to avoid any stragglers…

Jiang He threw more pea bombs.

He had an inexhaustible amount of these. Though useless against stronger Ferals, it was simply delightful to blow these Ferals beneath rank-seven up.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a loud burst of air could be heard. The emperor crab, ignoring the explosions was flailing its giant pincers as it came ashore and charged towards Jiang He.

Jiang He's Adam's apple twitched as he gulped, putting away his Dragon-Slaying Saber before killing the emperor crab with Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and happily stuffed it into his System backpack.

Bloop, bloop, bloop…

Back in the river, bubbles were churning and vapors steaming.

The pea bomb's effect was remarkably similar to fuel-air explosives, and after Jiang He threw down a handful of pea bombs in it, the water was now boiling.

Then, just as he was about to head towards the heart of Chongming Island, an idea suddenly occurred to him.

As he stared at the fish, prawns, crab, and other Feral remains now floating on the surface, Jiang He could not help musing, "What a shame. The river is moving, or the pea bombs would keep it boiling for a long time. After I kill the Black King Drake, I would have been able to have some steaming seafood…"

"Wait, that's not quite right. Seafood is from the sea, whereas these Ferals are from, the river, so they are merely riverfood…"

Whoosh!

His feet moved then, as he streaked towards the center of Chongming Island.

Jiang He was confused, however, since no Feral attacked him along the way.

Slowing down and downing a few blended qi pellets, he frowned slightly.

"This isn't right…"

"Just before this, I could hear the resounding wars of Ferals from here, and judging from the sound and the aura, there should be a lot of rank-seven, rank-eight or even rank-nine Ferals here. So why I can't see a thing?"

The plot was quite normal before—why would it twist after he reached the island?

Sure, there were many Ferals behind him, obstructing his retreat.

But if the plot had progressed normally, there would be Ferals standing in his way forward as well, and getting progressively stronger the further Jiang He went. Regardless, he would carve a path of carnage and eventually engage the Black King Drake, the final boss of Chongming Island and slay it.

So…

Where are the Ferals?

"Whatever. Chongming Island is not that large—I could take my time finding them." Jiang He muttered, taking more blended qi pellets.

He did not really use too much of his True Qi when he fought before that he needed the pellets to replenish it—this was merely a habit, like how other individuals smoke a cigarette or munch on a chewing gum when they were up to something.

And for Jiang He, chewing gum was no different from blended qi pellets… if there was one thing that separates these vices, it was perhaps the fact that the blended qi pellets were a little more expensive at three million dollars per pellet.

Walking several kilometers ahead, his eyes suddenly twinkled and he stopped.

There was a lofty steel tower just ahead, and a clearing between him and the tower.

And in that clearing, many enormous Ferals bearing imposing auras were prostrating themselves before the tower.

The steel tower was formerly a cellular tower, and there had been many buildings around it before, all of which were reduced to debris now.

And upon the steel tower was an even bigger snake than the leopard python. Around three hundred meters in length, its thick body was covered in black scales, and its head was the size of a mansion. Its scarlet tongue poked out as it leveled its dark golden eyes mockingly at Jiang He.

What made its special was two protrusions over its head that resembled two horns.

"Rank-eight?"

"You have guts, human. A mere-rank-eight would dare intrude upon my island?"

The Black King Drake spoke with a coarse, fearsome voice that rang beside Jiang He's ears.

Jiang He could not help his surprise and replied, "Interesting, a worm like you actually talks instead of using spirit voice… You are as gifted as my dog back home."

It was common knowledge that rank-seven Ferals could use spirit voice, and those above rank-nine were capable of human speech…

Even so, Jiang He's common sense could not remain unaffected with Dumbo's presence. Could the Black King Drake before him be the same too?

Rawr!

A furious bellow echoed from the maw of the Black King Drake as it raged, "You dare compare me to a dog?"

"I'm praising you, you know!"

Jiang He laughed out loud as his True Qi exploded instantly, the silhouette of five suns rising behind him as he charged directly towards the steel tower with the Dragon-Slaying Saber in hand.

Rawr!

The Black King Drake bellowed again, and ever prostrating Ferals promptly rose to their feet and lunged towards Jiang He.

"Fine attack!"

Jiang He laughed with utmost smugness as he swung his Dragon-Slaying Saber, letting loose a thirty-meter thunder slash into the night, tearing apart a rank-nine Feral that was leading the charge.

???

Jiang He could not help becoming taken aback after his attack.

"Woah!"

"Am I that powerful now?"

"That Feral felt much weaker compared to the Third Elder of the Sky Demon Cult… it could not even survive a single slash from me?"

Bang!

But in that instant, the ground beneath Jiang He's feet split apart. A gigantic pangolin bounded out of the ground, slamming its enormous body directly on Jiang He's body.

Like a rag doll, Jiang He's body was sent flying hundreds of meters away, slamming heavily into the dirt.

Report chapter

Chapter 164: The Black King Drake Falls

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The pangolin was over twenty-meters, its body covered in hard scales and emanating a ferocious aura.

It was a rank-eight Feral.

And how much force could the full-power collision of a rank-eight Feral unleash?

As a result, Jiang He was sent flying hundreds of meters away before he slammed viciously on the dirt, knocking a giant crater as he smashed through the hardened ground.

"Ouch!"

Jiang He could not help rubbing his backside.

It was what landed first…

"Damn it!

"That vermin actually blindsided me?"

Leaping out of the crater with Dragon-Slaying Saber in hand, he once again cut his way into the horde of Ferals. With Ninefold Thunderblade, he unleashed a flurry of thirty-meter thunder slashes at full power, imbuing thunder will in each strike.

No Feral could take more than a slash.

On the other hand, Jiang He's figure was exceedingly agile as he moved with Blind Princess's Eight Practices, downing many of the Ferals, and many more merely hitting his afterimage.

It did not matter even if they managed to land a hit on him either—all he did was fly several hundred meters away, where he would rise to his feet again, dust his butt, roll up his sleeves and resume his rampage.

With his mastery over Indestructible Diamond and the protection of True Qi from his Strengthened Nine Yang Technique, Jiang He's defense could ignore most rank-nine attacks.

At rank-eight pinnacle and after cultivating the Strengthened Nine Yang Techniques, Jiang He's True Qi was abundant and he would never lose out against any top rank-nine martial artist—or even more superior individuals!

Moreover, he had cultivated the Ninefold Thunderblade up to the Third Fold.

This blade technique was made only to kill and has no guarding aspect to speak of, but its might was enough to help Jiang He mandatorily grasp the Boundary of Wills. In turn, with the buff from thunder will, chopping down rank-nine Ferals was now no different from chopping vegetables.

The most frightening part was Jiang He's regeneration…

Having cultivated the Strengthened Nine Yang Technique up to the fifth tier, his True Qi was endless, and it did not feel like he was losing any True Qi even though he was only attacking with his most powerful strike.

Snikt.

Another rank-seven Feral fell to Jiang He's blade.

Its head was sent flying as blood rained, dyeing Jiang He's white Li-Ning jersey red…

"This jersey was genuine and over six-hundred bucks… well, I'm not losing out since a rank-seven Feral corpse could sell for ten million—moreover, there's not just one rank-seven Feral."

In merely five minutes, six rank-seven, two-ranked eight, and one rank-nine Feral had died to Jiang He's blade.

His gaze then shifted as he took his blade to the rank-eight pangolin, which shrieked in fear and moved, its body shining in vague yellow gimmer as it quickly dug a tunnel and disappear.

Though Ferals had awakened not many powers, it was not few either. In the very least, it was common amongst high-ranked Ferals.

Boom!

Suddenly, the earth quaked as a resounding rumble echoed—the Black King Drake which had been coiled around the steel tower had slammed its enormous form down on the ground and slithered towards Jiang He.

Rawr!

At its roar, the Ferals encircling Jiang He promptly retreated.

In fact, Chongming Island was quaking even more violently at its roar, and most frighteningly, the waters around Chongming Island churned, with jet streams shooting high up in the air. But as they descended from the horizon, they turned into towering water whirlwinds that streaked towards Jiang He.

"What the hell…"

Despite his shock, Jiang He raised his blade and kept slashing, tearing down the whirlwinds with much difficulty. In the next instant, however, his danger sense abruptly blared and he promptly turned to find a colossal dark shadow crashing down upon him.

It was the tail of the Black King Drake lashing out at him.

And how terrifying was that lashing?

It was moving at almost three times the speed of sound, its brute force leaving a trail of vacuum in the air!

"Dark Golden Combat Suit!"

The only thing Jiang He could do was equip his Dark Golden Combat Suit.

With a thought and a dim golden flash over his body, the Dark Golden Combat Suit materialized over his whole body.

Bang!

In the instant that Jiang He equipped the Dark Golden Combat Suit, the colossal serpent tail had already landed. All Jiang He managed to think was 'What the hell' before he was slammed into the dirt.

Boom!

The ground exploded.

Hard stone was no different from tofu under the strike of the Black King Drake's tail. A deep ravine was immediately ruptured into the ground, the center of which was a human-shaped crater.

That crater was bottomless, and there was water actually splashing underneath.

The brute strength from the snake tail's actually punched a hole into the island with Jiang He's body.

"You mother—"

Jiang He cursed as he climbed out of the crater, blood dripping from the corner of his lips. He felt as if his every organ had been dislocated, and his gaze upon the Black Drake King now shows shock…

A top rank-nine Feral?

Was it supposed to be that powerful?

He had his Dark Golden Combat Suit made of SS-grade alloys, and was protected by both his Nine Yang True Qi and Indestructible Diamond. Even so, that snake's tail whip left him coughing blood and with two broken bones.

"Oh?"

The Black King Drake which was already slithering afar turned its massive head, it's a look of surprise flashing in its dark-golden eyes as it breathed human speech, "A mere rank-eight actually survived my blow…."

"Hehe."

Jiang He smoke, taking out a lunchbox with a turn of his hand.

He opened the box, which contained stir-fried eggplant over leopard python meat…

His hands were filthy. They were dripping with blood and sweat, but this was no time to be concerned about hygiene—quickly grabbing two pinches of the stir-fried eggplant over leopard python meat and stuffing it down his mouth, Jiang He could clearly feel his internal injuries and broken bones all mending.

Dumping the lunchbox and firing a few sparks out of the Dragon-Slaying Saber in his hand, he grinned. "Not bad, worm. Making me cough blood? Not too shabby."

"You really want to die!"

The Black King Drake promptly opened its maw and fired a water arrow at him. Jiang He swung his blade in response, breaking the water arrow with much difficulty when his face fell…

The water arrow…

Was poisonous!

Swiftly taking out a Bezoar Detox Pill and stuffing it in his mouth, the poison was removed instantly, and Jiang He, blade in hand, charged towards the Black King Drake again.

Human and drake instantly tangled in a melee.

Having ascended as a genuine King Feral, the Black King Drake's might was capable of instakilling most rank-nines…

And that was only because its recent ascension left it unaccustomed to its real power, thereby grasping strength above rank-nine.

Even so…

Jiang He was fearless.

For one, he was not aware of the Black King Drake's ascension.

Secondly, with his Dark Golden Combat Suit, the Black King Drake would never kill him.

Even if it maimed him, several bites of eggplants would revitalize him.

Likewise, Jiang He could ignore its intimidating venom as well.

The Bezoar Detox Pills was basically an antidote treasure, and as the battle progressed, Jiang He kept a handful of those pills in his mouth, swallowing one if he even felt that something was not right.

Rawr!

The Black King Drake's bellowed endlessly in utter frustration.

All of Chongming Island was quaking endlessly, most of it split apart with the river gushing and splashing in.

It felt like its Feral perspective was completely turned over itself.

What the hell?

Could he have ascended as a pseudo-king instead?

Was the ascension from rank-nine to king not supposed to be an ascension on the existential level?

Even the weakest King Feral would easily defeat and kill the strongest rank-nine individuals… and yet, after fighting for ten minutes and using almost all the methods available at his disposal, this rank-eight martial artist still remained alive?

"No!"

"You're not rank-eight!"

"You are definitely not rank-eight!"

Despite having sent Jiang He flying with another tail whip, Jiang He darted towards the Black King Drake once again as if he was unscathed, slashing his blade viciously on the creature's body.

The thirty-meter thunder slash left a huge, gruesome gap upon the Black King Drake's hide.

It rolled around the island in agony, crushing most of it once again.

Hissing in agony, it thundered in rage, "Human elite! You are utterly shameless and underhanded, hiding your cultivation to assassinate me…"

That was the only possibility the Black King Drake could think of.

It was not as if the creature had not fought top rank-nines before.

In fact, a while ago, it had repelled a top rank-nine elite, who had almost grasped the Boundary of Wills with perfection…

Even rank-nines had a hard time resisting its venom, and it rapidly weakened a strong rank-nine's combat ability over time.

Now, it had ascended as a King Feral, and even if he only ascended this morning, its power had grown by more than half and its venom even more terrifying.

Whoosh.

Abruptly opening its maw again, it sprayed a mouthful of thick black smoke that smelled like blood, shrouding Jiang He.

Jiang He quickly swallowed another Bezoar Detox Pill while cursing, "What the hell? Fight if you want to fight—why would you keep spitting your bile at me? So gross!

"…"

At that, the Black King Drake turned to leave.

No way would it keep fighting.

How was it supposed to fight? This must be a certain human champion who came, his cultivation deliberately concealed to take him out.

"You're running?"

On the other hand, Jiang He was all smiles and gave chase, blade in hand.

He landed directly over the Black King Drake's black and slashed at it wildly, almost cutting the creature in two.

Rawr!

The Black King Drake bellowed in rage and struggled, its gigantic tail slamming down on Jiang He once more.

Gritting his teeth, Jiang He took the brunt of the tail's strike.

"What the hell…"

"My bones are breaking, at least a dozen of them…"

As his vision darkened, Jiang He almost screamed in pain, but he turned the agony into his strength to slash at the Black King Drake a few more times.

Rawr!

The Black King Drake was worried now.

Gaping its maw, it closed its jaws down upon Jiang He.

Then mansion-sized maw could easily swallow Jiang He, let alone Jiang He.

Even so, Jiang He was delighted—

"Been waiting for you!"

He threw up his hand.

Whoosh!

A handful of strengthened pea bombs bounded straight into the creature's gaping jaws, and in the instant that the bombs were thrown, there was a 'snikt' sound as the ocean of swords in Jiang He's mind shuddered.

That single luminous sword in the sea of swords turned into a thirty-meter long Sword Qi that shot straight into the Black King Drake's mouth.

In the next instant…

Boom!

The dozens of strengthened pea bombs detonated inside the Black King Drake's mouth.

At the same time, the sword Qi sliced through the creature's belly.

With that, the Black King Drake body thrashed around Chongming Island as it struggled…

And eventually lost all signs of life.

Blargh!

Only then did Jiang He vomit a mouthful of coagulated blood.

Withstanding the pain, he took out a pair of chopsticks and more lunchboxes, leaning on the Black King Drake's colossal body as he finished another plate of stir-fried eggplant over leopard python meat plus rice.

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. "That was close…"

"Those tail whips near the end almost blew me apart… I might not have survived if I didn't heal in time."

Rising to his feet, Jiang He then studied the gigantic corpse and Chongming Island which was almost sunk with a somber look. "I really did get full of myself, believing that anything barring top rank-nine elites and King Ferals would never kill me…"

"But this Black King Drake almost killed me!"

"There might also be rank-nine Ferals with more horrific talents compared to it in this world. They don't even have to be powerful, but if they were anywhere between three quarters to twice as stronger as a Black King Drake, I'm going to be killed even with my Dark Golden Combat Suit…"

Jiang He clenched his fists.

After all, he felt an immense pressure.

He was still too weak!

Report chapter

Chapter 165: Never Take Rumors For Truth

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

At the abandoned water tower ten kilometers outside Chongming Island, the intelligence officers from Jiangnan city base's Martial Arts Department (MAD) appeared utterly shocked.

Even from over a dozen kilometers, they could still clearly feel the surge of energy caused by the violent battle over Chongming Island.

It was overwhelmingly horrific!

The best amongst them—a rank-six martial artist was actually having heart palpitations. If he had been too close to the battle and caught in the shockwaves, he would have died a horrible death.

Suddenly, one of the officer's cellphone rang.

He answered the call, exclaiming, "That someone has started fighting the Black King Drake, boss."

"Specifics?"

"No idea. All we could see here from the water tower are some obstacles, so we couldn't see what's going on at Chongming Island at all."

However, even from the other end of the call, Wang Gang could vaguely hear the distant rumble, explosion and Feral bellows from the distance.

He hence somberly said, "Everyone, I'm counting on you. Alert me immediately if there are any new developments. Chief Qin had already reported the incident on Chongming Island to headquarters, and they would be dispatching their elites… eh?"

Wang Gang paused at that, because the vague beastly cries and the rumbles of battle had suddenly vanished.

"What's going on?"

"Boss…"

Over the water tower, the martial artist who answered the call had a look of anguish as he answered gravely, "The fight… it's over."

"Not Feral in pursuit… that someone must have fallen."

Thud!

Wang Gang's phone dropped to the floor.

Though it was an expected outcome, it was still hard to accept.

Even if Wang Gang never met the elite who landed on the island to challenge the Black King Drake, he could tell that the elite was just one step away from 'divine' after he fought the Black King Drake for so long.

The battle on the island might even have been a trial for the elite to refine himself with the Black King Drake as an opponent, and use it to reach divine-tier.

And yet, the Black King Drake had ascended as a King Feral.

Be that as it may, there was only one reason for that: Wang Gang's intelligence wing only received news of the Black King Drake's recent ascension at five in the afternoon, and could not announce it in time.

That elite might not have gone to Chongming Island at all otherwise.

Arriving at Qin Fan's office like a walking dead, Wang Gang informed his chief about what happened, before hoarsely saying, "This is my fault, Chief Qin. The intelligence wing had failed in their duty—if I had learned about the Black King Drake's ascension immediately and announce it, that elite would not have gone to Chongming Island."

Qin Fan forced a smile and said, "It's not your fault. I'll contact HQ at once to see if we could find out his identity. He must not be allowed to die anonymously on Chongming Island."

"Moreover, we are not to relax on the situation over there. Keep an eye out, and inform me immediately once a Feral Swarm appears!"

Qin Fan rose to his feet, took a deep breath and whipped out his phone again.

There was no telling how many calls he made on this single night, contacting headquarters, the three great martial clans of Jiangnan, every elite and Awakened who came to the city to participate in the auction…

Meanwhile, Jiang He had no idea how much of a storm he had caused.

After all…

His original intent was only to get two portions of rank-nine Feral flesh.

And in his perspective, what was the big deal with killing a Feral at the peak of rank-nine?

The most he did was kill several hundred gathered Ferals that could have formed a Feral Swarm before killing the Black King Drake… as well as several rank-seven Ferals along with others in the river with a handful of pea bombs…

As for the six rank-sevens, two rank-eights, and one rank-nine Feral on Chongming Island…

Those were merely done in passing and did not really count.

Still, Jiang He became a little bothered as he stood beside the corpse of the Black King Drake.

How was he supposed to bring so many Feral Corpses back?

His System Backpack had twelve boxes but only three were empty, and Ferals of different species do not stack.

"Oh, right… there are only two cucumbers left and I could vacate them… there are also dozens of qi pellets left, but those could be dumped as well since it's useless for me."

With that, he freed two boxes.

Hence, after putting in the Black King Drake along with the single rank-nine and two rank-eight Ferals into his System Backpack, he had one box left.

Jiang He glanced at the six rank-seven Feral corpses on the ground then, but decided to leave them there.

After all, those rank-sevens looked nowhere as tasty as the giant crab he retrieved.

"If I remember correctly, there are a lot more fishes and prawns in the river. Those are rare at Xibei… I'll put in several variants of prawns to change my palate for a scrumptious meal to clean my palate."

Jiang He arrived at the river.

Its boiling waters had long since calmed down as it continued to flow.

He leapt into the river, but only recovered six rank-six prawns. Still, those creatures that grew up to eight meters long were wafting with a meaty aroma thanks to the pea bombs' detonation and quite cooked.

Their meat was not tasty like this, however.

That said, all Jiang He had to do was take them home, wash them, and have the old blacksmith make him a giant steel pot. Would it not be absolutely delightful if served fried with hot spices?

Additionally, he had also found an eel.

It was as thick as an arm and around four to five meters, and must have been rank-four when it was alive. Though worthless for Jiang He, he did promise that loli back in Lingzhou city's MAD that he would catch her an eel to play with, and bringing it home counts as fulfilling his promise.

"But she wanted one alive, and this one's dead… can't play with a dead one, can we?"

Jiang He shook his head, saying, "Still, she could eat it even if she can't play with it…"

Nonetheless, since his System Backpack was full, he had to carry it with his hand.

"Oh, wasn't that loli's name Liu Xue too?" Jiang He could not help laughing when she suddenly remembered the loli's name.

Liu Xue, Zhou Yu…

It turns out that two out of three of the people he beat up in the morning shared the same name as his other acquaintances. That was not weird, however, since the Hua Nation was too vast and there were only too many people who shared the same name. He would have to admit that the hands of fate was ironic that both those person with the same name got beaten up by him.

Nonetheless, eel in hand, Jiang He skipped over the surface and back to the other end of the river.

"I now have two portions rank-nine Feral meat and the Orirocks, meaning I have enough materials to level my farm. After the auction tomorrow, I'm heading back to Lingzhou City… not planting stuff for a day is leaving my whole body unsettled."

Jiang He sighed.

He whipped out the phone and saw that it was already eleven, and it was a four hundred-mile journey back to Jiangnan. The time would be right for him to fall asleep when he got home.

Whoosh!

Casting Blind Princess's Eight Practices, Jiang He turned into an afterimage as he vanished into the night.

Above the water tower.

The Awakened with 'all-seeing eyes' who had headsets equipped was taking a break, with an average martial artist taking his place in surveillance.

As he held up his binoculars and looked around, he vaguely saw a figure flashing by in the distance. But when he looked again…

It appears that he was merely seeing things.

Covering over a hundred miles under a single breath, Jiang He took out his sports car from his System Backpack.

Hence gaining another spare box, Jiang He put the eel into his backpack and issued a command with a thought. The engine of the red Ferrari rumbled and bounded back towards Jiangnan city base.

Soon, he was just a dozen kilometers away from the city base when he ran into quite a few cars.

All of them had recently returned from the wildlands.

Just as Jiang He parked his car to relieve himself he ran into a burly bearded man.

He stared at Jiang He's car for a while before chuckling. "Interesting, not many people would drive their sports car out here lately… are you out to hunt Ferals too, bro?"

Jiang He nodded and smiled in return. "Yup. Just had too much free time, so I went outside for a bit."

The man smiled but said nothing else.

You're quite the bragger—too much free time, went outside for a bit… Just look at that blood-splattered clothes of yours, anyone who did not know would think that you were in a bloody battle that lasted days!

Where are your Feral materials?

Everyone heading to the wildlands would either drive pickup trucks or off-road vehicles, so that it was convenient to carry Feral materials home… you couldn't have stuffed yours at your car trunk, could you?

Still, the man did not point that out.

"By the way, bro, I've noticed many martial parties rushing back to Jiangnan City overnight… are the wildlands around here that dangerous?"

The man cast Jiang He another glance.

Just as he thought…

The kid was a newbie who didn't know this bit of common sense.

"Yes, the wildlands could be more dangerous at night, but it's no trouble if you could hide well," he explained. "Most Ferals only come out at night, so it's normal for martial arts to stay the night out in the wild."

"The reason we came back is that we heard that there are trouble up in the wildlands. One particular Feral might have ascended as a King Feral and could incite a Feral Swarm at any moment."

"I see."

Jiang He nodded with a grin. "That is indeed quite dangerous… alright, bro, I'm off to have a bath. It's quite uncomfortable with all this blood over my body."

He climbed into his sports car and sped off.

Meanwhile, the burly bearded man smiled begrudgingly, shaking his head.

It was not as if he had not encountered such persons before, since most kids from rich or influential families would tend to go on trips at the wildlands to show off, caking themselves with blood and go home bragging about it.

Back at the hotel.

Jiang He took a bath, threw away all his blood-coated clothes, and put on his silk pajamas before going to sleep.

Life without a maid's service was so dry and monotonous.

Sleeping until he woke up naturally, Jiang He washed up, put on a new set of jersey and shorts, when he heard a knock on his door just as he took out a lunchbox was about to have breakfast.

Long Mountain Lin entered after he opened the door.

There was a look of solemn sadness as he gravely said, "Jiang He, have you heard about last night? That vermin on Chongming Island had ascended as a King Feral and even slew a top rank-nine champion."

Jiang He: "…"

Left dumbstruck for a moment, he could not resist a chuckle. "Never take rumors for truth, Elder Lin. Have you had breakfast yet? Come, come, let's have some together."

'King Feral? Is that not just nonsense?

'How could I not know when I was on Chongming Island?'

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Chapter 166: I Am Very Innocent!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Rumor?

"Brother Jiang He, this isn't a rumor."

Entering Jiang He's room, Long Mountain Lin smiled bitterly. "The Martial Arts Department (MAD) of Jiangnan had announced it on the MAD official website and Warrior Home—even MAD HQ was shocked when they heard about it last night."

"Minister Wang, leader of MAD HQ even personally issued an order to build a team of top rank-nine elites to invade that island, slay the Black King Drake and the King Ferals what's what."

Taken aback, Jiang He exclaimed, "Are you saying that the Black King Drake was the one that ascended as a King Feral?"

Jiang He almost teared up from laughter when Long Mountain Lin nodded.

Black Drake King?

King Feral?

There was even a major announcement, and MAD HQ was shocked?

Can't a big organization like yours be a little punctual?

Shaking his head, Jiang He was reluctant to continue on that topic and said, "Old Brother Lin, have you had breakfast? Should we have some?"

He brought out another lunchbox with another turn of his hand.

Long Mountain Lin smiled. "I just had some."

However, there was a flash of surprise in his eyes.

Spatial storage?

It seems that Jiang He had gained some major providence. After all, any treasure with spatial storage was extremely rare, and it could only be found in heritage sites left by certain elites.

Perhaps Jiang He had visited a heritage site before?

That was indeed likely, or Jiang He's cultivation would not have improved so greatly.

Since Long Mountain Lin had already eaten, Jiang He naturally would not insist that he do. Breakfast should be taken optimally, and with the old man having only recently awaken from a coma, having too much might affect his health.

Taking up the lunchbox, Jiang He picked at his rice and could not help asking, "I'm a little curious, actually. Jiangnan's MAD is an organization with national-level authority, why would they suddenly create such a rumor?"

"…"

Long Mountain Lin was a little speechless at that. "Brother Jiang He, why wouldn't you believe it? It was already proven that Chongming Island Black King Drake had ascended as a King Feral."

"By the way, don't you youngsters always go on the Internet? You could log on to Warrior Home for a look—Jiangnan's MAD had already uploaded the information about the incident."

Jiang He unlocked his phone and logged on to Warrior Home as told, smirking inwardly…

Information?

Proven?

The Black King Drake was now lying inside his System Backpack. Couldn't he tell whether that was true or not?

However, once he logged in to Warrior Home, Jiang He's attention was immediately captured by a certain post.

The title was red, basically meaning that it was uploaded in memoriam of an anonymous rank-nine elite.

Then, after having read through the post, Jiang He realized that…

The anonymous rank-nine elite had died in battle on Chongming Island last night.

He had cut his way into Chongming Island, fighting the Black King Drake in a fierce battle that lasted half an hour, but was eventually defeated and lost his life.

Stunned, Jiang He turned to his System Backpack by instinct.

But the corpse there was real…

One thing for sure is that he had indeed slain the Black King Drake, and everything he had gone through last night was not a dream!

Still, what the hell?

Why would such a post pop out?

It even had images and a video attached.

Clicking on the image, he found that it was all flames—it was obvious that the photo had been captured from a distance, because everything was a blur aside from the flames and the small mushroom cloud rising to the air.

There was several lines of text captioning it.

"The comrade of our MAD's intelligence wing took this photo. The anonymous elite had stepped up before Chongming Island, killing and chasing away over a thousand Ferals, effectively preventing the formation of a Feral Swarm.

Jiang He looked weirded out.

He then turned on a video, which was pitch black and only contained voices.

[Black King Drake, come face your death]

[Rawr…]

Those voices were compiled together from different timings, which was either his own angry bellows and the Black King Drake's hissing.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang He opened the second post.

This one was uploaded by Jiangnan City's MAD, and it announced the news that the Black King Drake of Chongming Island had ascended as a King Feral.

There was an image attached to the first part of the post, vividly depicting the skies above Chongming Island. Dark clouds were rolling over the horizon in the company of lightning bolts, and according to the post, that phenomenon was something that occurred whenever a rank-nine Feral ascend as a King Feral.

Rank-nine humans ascending up to divine-tier would cause the same phenomenon too.

At that point, Jiang He had forgotten about his breakfast.

Putting down his chopsticks and basically hugging his cellphone, he carefully read the content of the post which listed many circumstances to prove that the Black King Drake had indeed ascended as a King Feral.

After finishing his reading, Jiang He quietly put away his phone and looked up stiffly at Long Mountain Lin.

Only then did the old man smile. "Do you believe me now, Brother Jiang He? I've told you that it was proven and is no rumor… would the MAD of Jiangnan announce it publicly if it wasn't proven?"

What the hell!

What the hell!

What the hell!

Jiang He came to his senses then and exclaimed 'what the hell' three times—this was perhaps the only way to convey how much he was shocked… and spooked!

He even felt that his back had become wet, and his whole body was breaking out cold sweat.

"The Black King Drake really did ascend as a King Feral?" He could not help exclaiming.

"You've read the information. What do you think?" Long Mountain Lin asked in return.

Jiang He mused irresolutely to himself for a long time.

Breathing a long sigh, he flashed a pained smile. "I believe it…

"I really believe it now!

"At first, I was puzzled—the Black King Drake was supposed to only be a rank-nine, but why was it so powerful? Even with my Dark Golden Combat Suit and every defensive technique charged, its tail whip left me with internal injuries and so many broken bones!"

"I thought it was gifted and far stronger than your average rank-nine Feral… but after reading these two posts, I finally realize that it's already a King Feral."

Frowning, Long Mountain Lin asked in confusion, "What do you mean, Jiang He? Have you encountered the Black King Drake?"

Wiping off the sweat from his brow, Jiang He said in lingering fright, "To tell the truth, Old Brother Lin… I had too much free time last night, so I went out, almost finding my own demise."

???

There were question marks all over Long Mountain Lin's face.

Jiang He simply pushed his cellphone towards him and pointed at the scarlet post on the Warrior Home forum. "The mysterious rank-nine they are mourning is actually me."

"Still, most of the content in that post is not true. I did kill and disperse over a thousand gathered Ferals with my nuclear rocket launcher, even killing some rank-seven, rank-eight, and rank-nine Ferals in passing before I fought the Black King Drake."

"However, it was just a dozen minutes between my landing on the island until I killed the Black King Drake. How is that a fierce battle for half-an-hour? What an exaggeration!"

Pausing, Jiang He only moved to the main point at that, and barked angrily, "Moreover, I'm alive and kicking. How did I lose my life to the Black King Drake?"

"…"

There was silence in the room. After several minutes, an elderly 'what the hell' could be heard!

At the same time.

A giant cloud of gloom was wafting at their direction from the distant horizon before coming to a stop, hovering above Jiangnan city base.

Looking closely, there was a drake almost a thousand meters long above it.

Its whole body was blue, and it had draconic horns and claws.

Rawr!

It abruptly reared its head, bellowing with a resounding draconic roar. The terrible soundwaves extended over all directions shattering the glass of countless buildings all over Jiangnan City's base and leaving endless numbers of citizens pale in shock, just as the shattered glass crashed down like sharp weapons upon many pedestrians.

Though the glass fragments were not crashing down that quickly and any person alert enough could escape, the soundwave left them with a head-splitting agony to the point that they could not care about those things. In fact, the cars on the streets crashed together, forming a chain collision.

Back at Hotel Caesar, both Jiang He and Elder Lin's gazes twitched as they darted outside. And yet, just as they jumped out of the broken window…

They saw that the shattered glass that was crashing down to the streets seemed to freeze up in the air.

As if an invisible force caught every falling glass shard.

Ping.

A crisp sound.

In the next second, every glass shard was reduced to powder and floated away with the wind.

"Do you want to die, Blue King Drake?"

"Are you intending to start at way above rank-nines, attacking a human city?"

A raging shout could be heard from the distance, and a blade's glint cut through heaven and earth, slicing down at the massive cloud of gloom at the horizon.

Whoosh!

The cloud was torn apart.

Its form revealed, the thousand-meter long blue drake spoke in human tongue with a furious bellow, "Let there be war. Your human elite was as shameless as you are untrustworthy. Would the elites of our side adhere when your side had broken the rules?"

After the glint of the blade faded, a middle-aged man wearing military uniform too to the air, steeping on nothing to face the Blue Drake King, frowning as he asked, "What do you mean, Blue King Drake? When did a human elite break the rules?"

The Blue King Drake snorted. "What, are you not admitting that a human killed the Black King Drake?"

"…"

Down below.

Jiang He scratched his head at the gaze Long Mountain Lin was throwing him, laughing out loud to cover up his embarrassment while stammering, "What is it… I can't be blamed for this one. I just wanted to kill some Ferals; I didn't know I would cause such a huge mess."

"Jiangnan's MAD is to be blamed!"

"Yes, it's their fault. They should have announced the news of the Black King Drake's ascension long ago, and I would never have the guts to go to Chongming Island…"

Jiang He wiped his tears.

'I'm very innocent, please!'

If he knew this would happen, he would have picked some weak rank-nine, cut it down with a few swings of his blade and he would have the materials need to level his farm. Why would he bother fighting such a difficult battle against the Black King Drake?

The fault lies entirely on Jiangnan's MAD!

Hold on…

Jiang He suddenly remembered something else at that.

Since the Black King Drake had ascended as a King Feral, it no longer counted as a rank-nine, which was why he had to kill another rank-nine to actually gather enough portions of rank-nine Feral flesh!

"Goddamn it! The Jiangnan MAD is really to be blamed!"

Jiang He cursed through clenched teeth, before he quickly looked up at the horizon.

The Blue King Drake was a Feral beyond rank-nine, whereas the martial artist who cut the skies with his blade of light… was he a military elite?

"Once such champions clashed, the carnage from their battle could wreck all of Jiangnan City…" Jiang He's whole body was breaking cold sweat profusely.

Should he come forward bravely and admit his fault?

Even so…

Wouldn't he be killed by the Blue King Drake if he came forward?

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