The sharp blade retained its original shape; Qin An found it comfortable to use and didn't change its appearance.
The blade gleamed with a red light, like a crimson blood moon.
Qin An channeled qi into the sharp blade and swung it forward following the trajectory of the Wind-breaking Saber Skill.
A sound of breaking through the air resonated, and a violent sonic boom pierced the night sky.
Qin An felt a remarkably smooth sensation when transferring qi to the blade.
"Using my blood to temper the blade can reduce its obstruction, making it easier to wield."
Qin An immediately understood the reason.
The Golden Finger was not just about talent.
Like butchers and scholars, there's more to gain beyond innate talent.
The butcher made the slaughtered livestock more delicious, and the scholar enhanced reading speed, even achieving photographic memory.
The Blacksmith's crafted tools have enhanced quality, and this sharp blade is proof.
As the occupational level increases, besides new talents, previous effects might also change.
Qin An put away the sharp blade, as a line of text appeared before him.
He had met the advancement conditions, and the Blacksmith's talent surfaced before him.
[Blacksmith lv.3 (0/400): The quality of your crafted items improves]
[Talent: Qi Concealing Realm Power Mastery]
New level, new talent.
A large amount of information transformed into smoke and merged into Qin An's body.
Qin An clenched his fist, feeling streams of power surging.
His physique remained unchanged, but qi could gradually enhance his strength.
"Mountain-Picking Fist."
Without a word, Qin An began practicing the moves of the Mountain-Picking Fist.
The Blacksmith's talent introduction was straightforward. Qin An didn't bet wrong this time; it perfectly matched with Mountain-Picking Fist.
The furnace's glow illuminated the room, casting a shadow over Qin An's body.
Qin An swung his fists, with the qi inside surging like turbulent waves.
Mountain-Picking Fist's moves are simple and unadorned.
But every move, every mark, is a way to temper one's strength with qi.
The qi and blood boiled continuously, swiftly transforming into power with every punch. Though simple, each punch resounded with bursts.
The smoke twisted, and lines of text appeared before Qin An.
[You practiced Mountain-Picking Fist, activating the Qi Concealing Realm Power Mastery talent]
[Mountain-Picking Fist Complete]
When the text formed, phantoms appeared before Qin An.
The phantoms danced with their fists, emitting sounds akin to dragon roars.
Moments later, the phantoms vanished, and Qin An had fully mastered the Mountain-Picking Fist.
The qi and blood stored previously in the Blood Crystal were fully used for the Mountain-Picking Fist.
Thanks to the presence of this qi and blood, Qin An didn't feel depleted; otherwise, the Mountain-Picking Fist's qi and blood consumption would have been unbearable.
The so-called Mountain-Picking, strength capable of lifting mountains.
Qin An casually threw out a punch, his muscles bulging, capable of exerting a thousand jin of force.
This force of a thousand jin, when launched with a punch, breaks through surfaces point by point, with power comparable to the Wind-breaking Saber Skill.
[Qin An]
[Heart Method: Cold Source Heart Skill (Complete)]
[Cultivation Technique: Wind-breaking Saber Skill (Complete), Mountain-Picking Fist (Complete)]
[Talent: Qi Concealing Realm Saber Skill Mastery, Qi Concealing Realm Heart Method Insight Mastery, Qi Concealing Realm Power Mastery]
...
The smoke cleared.
Qin An put away his fists, tucked the sharp blade back at his waist, and walked outside.
Moonlight bathed everything in a silver hue.
"Let's see what the yamen is up to tomorrow."
With Mountain-Picking Fist, Qin An felt much assured and headed to the house.
As for whether to start a new profession or cultivate the old one, Qin An hadn't decided yet.
First, resolve tomorrow's matter.
...
The next day.
Mr. Zheng brought ten or so constables, ready to set out, and arrived at Qin An's place.
Today was the departure day; Mr. Zheng was more eager than anyone.
He knew the eagle demon of Feiyun Gorge had prepared the ambush, just waiting to lead Qin An out.
The door was tightly shut; Mr. Zheng gave a nod to a nearby constable.
The constable gave a wry smile, stepped forward, and gently knocked on the door.
After hearing footsteps inside, the constable quickly retreated two zhangs away, as if there were flood beasts inside.
Qin An opened the door, his expression calm, "Let's go."
No nonsense, no expression.
After saying these words, Qin An stepped forward and walked out.
Seeing this, Mr. Zheng subtly tightened his grip on the saber handle, snickering coldly in his heart, "Enjoy your arrogance for a moment longer. Once at the eagle demon's place, I'll watch you being skinned and dismembered."
He was angry but dared not show it.
Only envisioning Qin An being devoured by the eagle demons made his heart quite joyous.
"Move out!"
The constables followed behind Mr. Zheng, leaving Ding County together.
...
Outside Ding County lies a plain lush with wild grass, named the Wild Grass Plains.
The people named it, naturally not choosing an elegant name, but just enough so it's recognizable.
Qin An and Mr. Zheng walked for about half an hour and then stopped.
In the distance ahead, anomalies emerged.
At the end of the Wild Grass Plains, a few monsters were seen carrying a carriage, coming slowly.
The monsters were two zhangs tall, with feathers as hard as iron spikes covering them.
Human in form, but their heads were those of eagles.
Especially the hooked beak resembling an iron hook, glinting coldly under sunlight.
The lead eagle demon wore silk, holding a wine jug, smacking its lips while drinking.
The jug poured out not wine, but blood with a fishy smell.
Mr. Zheng felt Qin An's gaze and shivered, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Qin An slowly replied, "I thought you'd at least make it more convincing, why so hasty?"
Mr. Zheng shivered, feeling like he was being eyed by a beast.
He knew Qin An had figured everything out and immediately fled in panic toward the eagle demon with his constables, yelling, "Eagle Lord, save me!"
The lead eagle demon put down the jug, sneering coldly.
Qin An didn't stop Mr. Zheng from running away but kept staring at the eagle demon.
Until Mr. Zheng came closer.
The eagle demon slowly spoke, with a hint of coldness in its eyes, "You're late today; caught a spy mingling among the people, but luckily caught them. Those people made wine for Lord Eagle, left the spy to share with this person."
As these words fell, over ten eagle demons rummaged in the carriage, pulling out a man covered in blood with two mustache streaks.
The man was still conscious and cursed, "Feathered beast, got the guts to give grandpa a quick death!"
Mr. Zheng was puzzled at this sight.
Eagle Lord kicked Mr. Zheng's chest, coldly saying, "What was the Wang surname doing, letting a spy of the Evil Extermination Bureau infiltrate the county, fortunate they didn't escape; otherwise, Ding County would have been flattened by the Evil Extermination Bureau."
Mr. Zheng was slightly taken aback.
At this moment, the man who'd been yelling saw Qin An and turned into a statue.
"Old Qin, you got caught too?"