Chapter Twenty-Five: Upgrades Upon Upgrades

In the kitchen, a large pot rested atop the clay stove, firewood crackling beneath it. Billowing white steam spilled out around the rim, carrying an enticing aroma that lured several wild cats to perch on the rooftop, tilting their heads as they peered down curiously.

Within the courtyard, a figure darted and twisted with remarkable agility, leaping and soaring from wall to ground. His movements were as nimble and swift as a sparrow, each step so light it seemed he was gliding through the air. Whether traversing the ground or scaling the high walls, he moved at astonishing speed, weaving effortlessly through every obstacle.

Insights flickered relentlessly through his mind until, all at once, Qi Xiu’s eyes grew distant and hazy. In the next instant, translucent energy began to coil faintly around his legs. He pressed off the ground without the faintest sound, his body launching skyward at a speed almost beyond belief. For a fleeting moment, he appeared to hover mid-air before descending, like a bird soaring aloft.

Landing with a spectacular flip that would leave most onlookers stunned, Qi Xiu’s lips curled into a smile as he exhaled a long, deep breath.

Calligraphy (Second Realm): 7.5%
Black Sand Palm (First Realm): 13.6%
Swallow Flight (First Realm): 0%
Solar Observation Method: 27.4%
Remote Acupoint Striking: 3%
...

He walked to the stone table, picked up the prepared sour plum soup, and drank it in one gulp, then wiped the sweat from his face with a towel.

Swallow Flight had broken through to the first realm, enabling him to linger briefly in the air. If he continued to advance, would he eventually be able to float suspended in midair, like... Sky Dance Technique?

Progress in Black Sand Palm and Calligraphy was slow. After much consideration, Qi Xiu decided to first elevate all his unadvanced martial arts to the first realm, thereby improving his overall skills and remedying weaknesses. This would also allow him to inject more power into the Martial character.

Swallow Flight had the highest proficiency; after two days of dedicated practice, he had completed its advancement. Now, with Swallow Flight at the first realm, his running speed was greater, his evasion more agile, and he could briefly hover in the air. His body’s flexibility was vastly enhanced, allowing him to perform movements and poses previously impossible.

Feeling the renewed strength in his body, Qi Xiu was struck by a thought.

“When Black Sand Palm broke through to the first realm, it refined and strengthened my hands. Swallow Flight’s breakthrough improved my whole body’s flexibility. Is it possible, then, that if I cultivate martial arts for every part of my body and break through each to the first realm, the effects would be akin to true mastery?”

He caressed the cup, light flickering in his eyes. If he couldn’t acquire the remaining fragments of Cold Cascade True Skill from Qian Yuchuan...

(2/3)

...then his method of supplementing with various skills might be a viable path after all.

After all, he now had access to the Ghost Market. Martial arts manuals were no longer as difficult to obtain as before; with patience, he could eventually collect all the skills he required.

“Finding Qian Yuchuan and completing a true skill—these two tasks can be pursued together. I’ll visit the Ghost Market in a few days. If all else fails, I can always place a bounty. It’s just money, after all. Worst case, I’ll sell talismans. Genuine, hand-drawn, demon-expelling Cloud Seal Talismans! Hmm, sell talismans?”

A sudden spark flashed in Qi Xiu’s mind; he had stumbled upon a promising path to wealth.

“That’s right, why hadn’t I thought of this before? The Town character is such a valuable item—if I bring it to the Ghost Market, it would sell out in moments.”

Excitement brightened his eyes, but as he pondered further, he realized it wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed.

The first issue was the Town character’s shelf life. Whether it was due to his calligraphy advancing to the second realm or his spirit becoming fuller and stronger, the supernatural power imbued had grown more potent. Previously, the Town character could only retain its mystical effects for twelve hours. Now, its efficacy had extended to thirty-six hours.

Yet three days still seemed too short. Unless someone needed it urgently, most buyers would simply watch its power fade, rendering it nothing more than a scrap of paper.

“I must find a way to prolong the Town character’s mystical effect.”

Rubbing his brow in thought, Qi Xiu’s gaze drifted to a martial art he had acquired long ago, but which lagged far behind Black Sand Palm and Swallow Flight.

Solar Observation Method.

His eyes flickered as he glanced up at the blazing sun overhead.

The Town character’s mystical power came from himself. If he could further strengthen his spirit, then imbue the Town character with greater supernatural force, might its potency increase as well? Could this extend its effective duration?

The more he considered, the more plausible it seemed. Setting down his cup, Qi Xiu turned and fetched a palm-sized yellow gourd from the inner room. Inside was the secret medicine required for cultivating the Solar Observation Method.

This martial art sounded strange and its practice was peculiar: one stared directly at the sun, coordinated breathing, visualization, and posture, supposedly absorbing solar essence. With the secret medicine, one could thus fortify the spirit and sharpen eyesight.

At first, Qi Xiu believed it was merely an imagined skill, a psychological effect. Yet as his proficiency grew, he genuinely felt his spirit more robust and complete. The clutter in his mind, lingering fears, and dark thoughts all diminished considerably. His eyesight had improved as well; on moonlit nights, he could see clearly without lighting a candle.

However, he had recently been caught in a maelstrom of danger, desperately needing combat power to protect himself. Thus, he had subconsciously neglected this skill, which offered no direct martial advantage.

(3/3)

Now that the turmoil had subsided, this martial art was worth advancing to the first realm. Moreover, he was curious: if a non-combative skill was infused into the Martial symbol, what effect would it have?

“Twenty-seven percent—still short by nearly seventy percent in proficiency, which will take about ten days to reach.” Gripping the yellow gourd of secret medicine, Qi Xiu exhaled deeply.

Let the slow grind begin.

...

West Market, Spring Arrival Inn.

The disciples of the Grand Guardian Sect gathered in a single room. More than a dozen bore injuries, and two lay on beds, faces ashen and eyes shut, clearly poisoned and unconscious.

“Elder brother, Jiang Ping doesn’t look good.”

One disciple on the bed suddenly convulsed violently, blood streaming from his seven orifices, his stomach bulging as if something was trying to force its way out.

“Get back!” Jin Tai barked, and those about to approach quickly scattered.

Bang!

The convulsing disciple let out a wretched cry as his abdomen burst open. A grotesque, sharp-toothed worm shot out, heading straight for the nearest disciple.

Smack!

A teacup collided with the creature, both shattering into dust.

Jin Tai, his expression grim, rose slowly from his chair. He walked to his fallen brother, reached out, and closed his pain-filled eyes.

“That sorcerer’s evil arts are formidable, and he has raised a horde of venomous insects and snakes. Brothers, what countermeasures do you have?”

At his words, the gathered disciples exchanged uneasy glances.

A few days ago, they had just arrived at the Qian family estate. Upon entering, they were ambushed by a sorcerer who seemed to have anticipated their arrival. He had laid numerous traps, unleashed poisonous insects and snakes, and his sorcery was bizarre. They suffered heavy losses. Had elder brother Jin Tai not driven the sorcerer away by force, they would all have perished.

“That sorcerer is skilled at manipulating insects and snakes, and possesses evil arts. We can start from these two points: purchase medicines that counteract venom, and acquire talismans to ward off sorcery. If we can suppress those threats and give elder brother a chance to get close, the sorcerer will surely die.”

Standing to the side, his face swollen like a pig’s head from a poisonous spider bite, Qian Yuchuan spoke slowly.

“Fifth brother is right. You’ll handle this matter,” Jin Tai said, sweeping his gaze over Qian Yuchuan.

Purchasing medicines and talismans to counteract sorcery would clearly be expensive. This time, the Grand Guardian Sect disciples’ purpose was to help Qian Yuchuan seize control of the Qian family. Therefore, the cost must fall to Qian Yuchuan.

“Rest assured, elder brother, I’ll see it done properly.” Knowing the sorcerer had already bred resentment among the brothers, Qian Yuchuan hurriedly bowed in agreement.

...