In the kitchen, a large pot simmered over a wood-fired earthen stove.
Wisps of white steam billowed from the rim of the pot.
The enticing aroma attracted several feral cats, which squatted on the roof, tilting their heads to peer down.
In the courtyard, a figure darted back and forth, leaping and flipping agilely.
His movements were as nimble and swift as a swallow.
Each step was as light as if flying through the air.
Whether on the ground or atop high walls, he could move with extreme speed, effortlessly weaving through obstacles.
As insights continuously surfaced in his mind, Qi Xiu's eyes suddenly glazed over.
The next second, his legs faintly manifested a translucent wrap of Qi Force.
With the slightest push from his feet, he made not a single sound.
He soared into the air at an incredible speed, almost hovering for a moment before descending.
He seemed like a bird soaring through the sky.
THUMP—
Landing from a high flip that would astound an ordinary person, Qi Xiu's lips curled into a smile as he let out a long sigh of relief.
[Calligraphy (Second Realm): 7.5%]
[Black Sand Palm (First Realm): 13.6%]
[Swallow Soar (First Realm): 0%]
[Sun Observing Strengthening Skill: 27.4%]
[Air-Piercing Point Strike: 3%]
...
Walking to a nearby stone table, he downed the prepared plum juice in one gulp and wiped the sweat from his face with a towel.
Swallow Soar, having broken through to the First Realm, allows one to briefly stay in the air. If I continue to break through, is it possible that I could actually float mid-air? Just like... Air Dance Skill?
The proficiency of Black Sand Palm and Calligraphy increases slowly.
After much consideration, Qi Xiu decided to first upgrade several martial arts that hadn't reached the First Realm yet.
This would not only comprehensively enhance his abilities, closing gaps in his skill set, but also provide more power to be infused into the "Martial" Character.
Swallow Soar had the highest proficiency. With dedicated cultivation, he completed the upgrade in two days.
Swallow Soar, now at the First Realm, not only increased his running speed and made his dodging and weaving more agile but also granted him the ability to briefly hang in the air.
Moreover, it greatly enhanced his body's flexibility, allowing him to perform many movements and postures he previously couldn't.
Feeling his revitalized body, Qi Xiu suddenly had a thought.
When Black Sand Palm broke through to the First Realm, it tempered and strengthened my hands. Swallow Soar, upon breaking through to the First Realm, strengthened the flexibility of my entire body. So, is it possible that if I can gather martial arts targeting other parts of my body and advance them all to the First Realm, the combined effect might be the same as a True Cultivation Power?
Qi Xiu caressed the cup, his eyes twinkling.
If I can't find Qian Yuchuan and obtain the remaining Frigid Waterfall Genuine Skill Fragment from him, then this idea of completing a patchwork True Cultivation Power isn't a bad one. After all, I now have access to the Ghost Market. Acquiring martial arts manuals is no longer as difficult as before. If I search patiently, I should be able to gather all the martial arts I need.
Finding Qian Yuchuan and completing a True Cultivation Power can be pursued simultaneously. I'll visit the Ghost Market again in a couple of days. If all else fails, I can just offer a reward; it's just money. I could even sell Talisman Scripts if necessary. Authentic, handcrafted Cloud Seal Talismans to exorcise demons and expel evil! Hmm, sell Talisman Scripts?
A flash of Spiritual Light sparked in Qi Xiu's mind; he had suddenly thought of a good way to get rich.
That's right, why didn't I think of it before? The "Suppress" Character is such a great item. If I take it to the Ghost Market to sell, wouldn't it be snapped up in minutes?
His eyes grew excited, but then he considered that it might not be so simple.
First, there's the shelf life of the "Suppress" Character. I'm not sure if it's because Calligraphy has advanced to the Second Realm, or if my own Essence, Qi, and Spirit have become more abundant and robust, thereby making the bestowed Divine Marvel more profound. Whatever the reason, the "Suppress" Character, which previously retained its Divine Marvel for only twenty-four hours, now has its effects extended to seventy-two hours. However, a three-day validity period still seems a bit short. Unless someone has an urgent need, ordinary buyers would likely just watch its Divine Marvel fade, leaving them with a worthless piece of paper.
"I must find a way to extend the 'Suppress' Character's Divine Marvel duration," he murmured, rubbing his temples in thought.
Qi Xiu's gaze involuntarily fell upon a martial art he had acquired long ago but in which his progress lagged far behind Black Sand Palm and Swallow Soar: the "Sun Observing Spirit Enhancement Skill".
His eyes flickered. Qi Xiu looked up at the blazing sun hanging high in the sky.
The Divine Marvel of the "Suppress" Character originates from me. If I can continue to strengthen my spirit and then inscribe the "Suppress" Character, enhancing the Divine Marvel's infusion, could that improve its potency? And by doing so, extend its effective duration?
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Qi Xiu put down his cup and turned to retrieve a palm-sized, yellow-skinned gourd from the inner room.
The gourd contained the secret elixir required for practicing the Sun Observing Strengthening Skill.
This martial art sounded odd, and its practice was even stranger. It involved staring directly at the sun, combined with specific breathing techniques, visualizations, and postures. The aim was to absorb the so-called solar essence, which, when used with the secret elixir, would strengthen one's spirit and improve eyesight.
Initially, Qi Xiu had thought this martial art was a product of mere fancy, with only a psychological effect.
But as his proficiency in the Sun Observing Strengthening Skill increased, he did indeed feel his spirit become more abundant and complete.
Mental distractions, inexplicable anxieties, and certain dark, sinister thoughts had all significantly diminished. His eyesight had also improved somewhat.
On clear, moonlit nights, he could even see normally without needing candlelight.
However, he had recently been caught in a vortex of perils, constantly facing crises. He urgently needed sufficient martial strength for self-protection. Consequently, he had subconsciously been reluctant to invest too much time cultivating a martial art that didn't directly offer combat power.
Now that the turmoil had subsided, raising this martial art to the First Realm seemed very worthwhile.
Moreover, he was curious what effect such a non-combat-oriented martial art would have when infused into the "Martial" Character.
"Twenty-seven percent... I still need almost seventy percent proficiency. It will probably take around ten days." Qi Xiu gripped the yellow-skinned gourd containing the secret elixir and took a long, deep breath.
Just have to keep grinding away.
...
「West Market, Spring Arrival Inn.」
The members of the Taibao Sect were gathered in a room. About a dozen of them were visibly injured.
Two of them, their faces a deathly blue-black and eyes shut tight, lay on beds, clearly afflicted by a potent poison and comatose.
"Senior Brother, Jiang Ping seems to be done for!" one of the Taibao Sect disciples suddenly cried out. Jiang Ping began to convulse violently on the bed, bleeding from all seven orifices, his belly swelling as if something inside were about to burst out.
"Step back!" Jin Tai bellowed. Everyone who had been about to approach scattered hurriedly.
BANG!
The convulsing Taibao Sect disciple screamed in agony as his belly burst open. A bizarre, fanged insectoid creature shot out and lunged at the nearest disciple.
SMASH! A teacup collided with the insectoid creature, and both shattered into powder.
His expression grim, Jin Tai, who had been sitting on a chair, slowly rose. He walked over to his fallen martial brother and gently closed the man's pained eyes.
"That Daoist's Evil Method is formidable, and he has reared a host of bizarre insects and venomous snakes. Do any of you junior brothers have a strategy?"
Upon hearing Jin Tai speak, the gathered Taibao Sect disciples looked at each other, nonplussed.
A few days prior, they had just arrived at the Qian Family residence. No sooner had they stepped through the door than they were ambushed by that Daoist. It was as if he had known they were coming, for he had laid numerous traps in advance—bizarre insects, venomous snakes, and his strange Sorcery. As a result, they suffered heavy losses. If their Senior Brother Jin Tai hadn't forcibly repelled the Daoist, they would likely all have perished.
"That Daoist is adept at controlling insects and snakes, and also commands Evil Method. We can focus on these two points. We should purchase medicines effective against insects and snakes, and also find some Talisman Scripts or similar items that can counter Sorcery. As long as we can neutralize these two aspects and give Senior Brother a chance to get close, that Daoist will undoubtedly die."
Qian Yuchuan, whose cheek was swollen like a pig's head from a venomous spider bite, spoke slowly.
"What Fifth Brother says is reasonable. You will handle this matter," Jin Tai said, glancing at Qian Yuchuan.
Procuring medicine and Talisman Scripts to counter Sorcery would clearly be a substantial expense.
The Taibao Sect members had come to assist Qian Yuchuan in taking control of the Qian Family. Therefore, Qian Yuchuan should naturally bear this cost.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I will handle it properly," Qian Yuchuan quickly bowed and assured him, well aware that the incident with the Daoist had already caused dissatisfaction and resentment among his martial brothers.