John's fingers tightened around the last skewer of pork as the bounty hunters' words echoed in his mind.
Fifty spirit stones.
That wasn't just a reward, it was a death sentence with his name on it.
He forced himself to finish eating at a normal pace, though every chew tasted like ash in his mouth now.
The moment he swallowed the last bite, he tossed the wooden skewer into a nearby waste bin and melted into the crowd, his movements swift but controlled.
The walk back to the Nine Sky Inn felt infinitely longer than it had earlier.
Every glance from a passerby made his skin prickle.
Was that merchant staring a second too long?
Did that guard just glance at him with unusual interest?
His Spatial Sense hummed at the edge of his awareness, scanning the twenty-meter radius around him for any hint of danger.
When he finally reached the sanctuary of his room, John locked the door behind him and leaned against it, exhaling sharply.
The luxurious space that had felt so welcoming hours ago now seemed like a gilded cage.
He crossed to the window, peering through the gauzy curtains at the marketplace below.
The sun was beginning its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple—beautiful, but a grim reminder that time was slipping away.
He needed a plan.
Sitting on the edge of the plush bed, John ran through his options.
If the Blue Sapphire Clan had put a bounty this large on his head, they wouldn't stop until he was dragged back in chains, or worse.
His fingers absently traced the bandages beneath his new robes where the six-legged beast's claws had torn into him.
That fight had been brutal, but what awaited him if caught would make it seem merciful.
A memory surfaced, while rushing back to the inn, he'd glimpsed a martial arts supply store nestled between a tea house and an apothecary.
Its sign had advertised everything from basic cultivation manuals to rare combat techniques.
If anywhere in this settlement might sell a disguise or facial alteration technique, it would be there.
John's lips pressed into a thin line.
Purchasing such a technique would drain more of his limited funds, but what choice did he have?
Continuing to wander around with his current face was tantamount to suicide now that his description was probably circulating among every mercenary in the region.
His gaze drifted back to the window.
The marketplace was still bustling, but shadows were growing longer by the minute.
Nightfall would be his ally.
Under cover of darkness, with fewer prying eyes and the natural shadows to cloak his movements, he could visit the store with less risk.
A plan crystallized in his mind.
Wait for full night, when most honest citizens were indoors and only the nocturnal crowd remained.
Discreetly purchase a facial alteration technique, something simple but effective enough to throw off casual observers.
Acquire supplies, healing herbs, maybe a basic weapon since he'd lost his dagger.
Leave at dawn, before the innkeeper noticed anything amiss.
John nodded to himself, the decision made.
He wouldn't wait for the bounty hunters to close in, he'd disappear before they even got close.
The next few hours passed with agonizing slowness.
John occupied himself by.
Checking his wounds, reapplying ointment and fresh bandages where needed Organizing his remaining coins, ninety-nine silver and the single gold coin from earlier
Meditating, using his Level Five Breathing to calm his mind and replenish his energy
As dusk gave way to true night, the sounds from the marketplace changed.
The cheerful calls of daytime vendors were replaced by the lower murmurs of night traders and the occasional raucous laughter from nearby taverns.
Lanterns flickered to life below, casting pools of golden light that created more shadows than they dispelled.
John changed into his darkest robes, ensuring the spirit stones and coins were securely hidden in inner pockets.
At the door, he paused, listening intently for any movement in the hallway.
Silence.
With one last glance around the room, would he ever see such luxury again? he slipped out into the dim corridor.
Soon, John arrived at the marketplace again.
The once lively streets had grown quiet, blanketed by the calm of the late night.
Only a few wandering souls remained, drunken cultivators staggering home from taverns, and a couple of vendors packing away the last of their wares under flickering lanterns.
Before him stood a tall, three-story building crafted from dark sandalwood and black tiles.
A faded signboard swayed gently in the breeze, the characters etched in bold golden strokes "Nine Sky Martial Shop."
This was the store he had noticed earlier, tucked among the clustered buildings of the central district.
Even now, nearing midnight, a faint warm glow spilled from within, though most of the lanterns inside had already been extinguished.
John approached the thick wooden door, its surface etched with ancient runes and guarded by a pair of stone lion statues on either side.
He reached for the iron ring handle, pulled the heavy door open with a quiet creak, and stepped inside.
The interior was calm and quiet, filled with the soft scent of burning sandalwood and aged scroll parchment.
Rows of weapon racks lined the walls, holding spears, sabers, and exotic blades that gleamed dully in the low light.
Along the far wall were tightly packed shelves filled with jade slips, scrolls, and manuals, organized meticulously by type and level.
Behind the long wooden counter stood a young woman in a pale green robe embroidered with lotus patterns.
Her hair was tied into a neat topknot with a silver hairpin, and she was carefully arranging a row of scrolls, her hands moving with practiced grace.
The moment she noticed John enter, she paused.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she took in his presence, cloaked figure, quiet steps, arriving at such a strange hour.
But the frown faded quickly, replaced by the calm professionalism of someone used to unusual requests.
She stepped forward, offered a slight bow, and spoke with polite curiosity.
"Good evening, honored customer. How may I assist you?"
John cast a glance around the quiet shop, then stepped closer to the counter.
His voice was low, cautious.
"I'm looking for a disguising technique."
The girl blinked, her expression briefly stiffening. A disguising technique? At this hour?
She didn't ask questions, though the request was unusual.
Such things were typically bought by spies, fugitives, or rogue cultivators, but a sale was a sale.
After a short moment of silence, she turned and walked toward a low shelf in the scroll section.
She crouched gracefully and pulled out an old yellowed scroll from the bottom row, wrapped in a leather strip and sealed with a talisman.
"This is the only one we currently have in stock," she said, laying it on the table with care.
"The Double Face Lizard Technique. It's a rare and effective method for altering one's facial features. And once mastered, it can even suppress the aura of your cultivation, making it very difficult for others to identify your realm."
A small trace of pride lit up her face as she spoke.
Clearly, this wasn't some common street technique.
John picked up the scroll and examined it.
The material was rough, but the seal was intact.
The title was burned into the surface with old spirit ink.
He could feel the faint trace of spiritual energy embedded within the parchment.
"How much?" he asked.
"Twelve spirit stones," she replied smoothly.
John's brow twitched. That was more than he had on hand.
His remaining stash was still buried near the banyan-like tree on the outskirts, far too risky to retrieve now with the Blue Sapphire Clan likely tightening their patrols.
After a brief pause, he tried his luck.
"I only have nine. Can we settle for that?"
The girl frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the discount.
"Nine is... quite a stretch, sir. This technique is not something easily found. How about eleven spirit stones?"
John sighed and turned to leave. "Then I'll look elsewhere."
He took a single step toward the door before her voice called out again.
"Wait!"
He paused.
She hesitated for a breath, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. Since you're the last customer tonight, I'll make an exception. Nine spirit stones it is."
John turned back and gave a small smile, his gamble had worked.
He quickly retrieved nine shimmering spirit stones from his pouch and placed them on the counter.
Without wasting another moment, he took the scroll and tucked it into the folds of his robe.
"Many thanks," he said simply.
With that, he slipped back into the night.
Outside, the market was nearly silent, save for the distant sound of wind chimes and the hoot of a night owl perched somewhere atop a nearby roof.
John took a deep breath, then moved into the shadows of a quiet alley and summoned his system panel.
---
[System Panel]
Name: John Coral
Age: 23
Cultivation: Bone Refining Realm (66/400)
Upgrade Slot: Slow Toad Breathing Skill (Level 7) — (3431/12800)
(Upgrading at 1 point per 6.5 minutes)
Skills:
Meditation (Level 6 – Max)
Breathing (Level 5 – Max)
Spatial Awareness (Level 5)
Slow Toad Breathing Skill (Level 7)
---
John's eyes landed on the upgrade slot with a small grimace.
A year left until this reaches level ten.
Only then will the slot open again.
He clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"I was too reckless," he muttered.
"Shouldn't have locked it into a Level Ten cap without thinking. I'll have to plan more carefully from now on."
His fingers brushed the scroll hidden in his robe.
"I need to find a place to hide for the next one and a half years… somewhere secluded where I can practice the Double Face Lizard Technique in peace."
He nodded to himself and faded into the night, eyes already scanning the horizon for the safest path forward.