"Hahaha…"
Xu Qing laughed out loud. He reached out and took the five hundred taels of silver notes from Ye Langtian's hand. "Senior Brother Ye, you're being too formal. How could I possibly hold a grudge over such a small matter?"
"Besides,"
"how could I let you spend so much, Senior Brother Ye? Don't do this again next time."
"…"
Ye Langtian watched as Xu Qing nonchalantly slipped the five hundred taels of silver notes into his pocket, as if they had belonged to him all along.
"Ahem…"
Ye Langtian cleared his throat. Looking at the smile on Xu Qing's face, he suddenly felt this Junior Brother Xu of his was quite an interesting character. He then extended an invitation, "Junior Brother Xu, I'm hosting a celebratory banquet on the 7th Layer of Kaiyuan Tower tomorrow and inviting a few friends. I was wondering if you might have time to join?"
"Well…"
Xu Qing hesitated before shaking his head. "Senior Brother Ye, I'm truly sorry, but I don't have the time. I'm afraid I can't make it."
"Besides,"
"I've only just mastered the Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force and condensed my Ming Jin. This is a time when I should be consolidating my strength and training even more diligently."
"I never expected Junior Brother Xu to be so diligent."
Ye Langtian sighed with emotion. "It seems I've misunderstood you all this time, Junior Brother Xu. I suppose your Talent is so high that you completely learned the Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force and the Eagle Claw Technique in just three days. That must be why you didn't come to the Cangying Martial Arts Hall to train—you were practicing day and night at home on your own to achieve what you have today."
"Compared to you, I have better resources but lack your dedication. You, on the other hand, are so talented and yet you still train so hard."
"I am truly ashamed."
"I've decided."
"Tomorrow's banquet is canceled."
"…"
Xu Qing was also taken aback for a moment.
"Junior Brother."
Ye Langtian clapped Xu Qing on the shoulder. "You have to keep up the good work. You may have surpassed me this time, but that might not be the case next time."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Langtian turned and left.
'Interesting.'
Watching Ye Langtian's retreating back, the corners of Xu Qing's mouth turned up slightly. He had thought that, given the circumstances, he would most likely make an enemy of Ye Langtian, and that it might even lead to a more intense conflict.
However, Ye Langtian's magnanimity was far greater than he had anticipated. If everything just now was an act, then Ye Langtian was an even more calculating person than he seemed.
Whatever the reason, Ye Langtian was no ordinary person.
'Forget it.'
Xu Qing shrugged, deciding not to dwell on it. 'Getting five hundred taels of silver notes for free is a good thing. I was running out of money anyway.'
'Besides,'
'I also want to go to the Martial Arts Pavilion and pick out a Swordsmanship technique. My Iron Sword has reached Level 10, making it a rare Divine Weapon in the Mortal World. It would be a real shame not to master a Swordsmanship technique worthy of this Treasure Sword.'
Red Leaf Street.
Xu Qing's residence.
At this moment, Xu Qing had already returned.
SZZZLE…
Xu Qing was pan-frying a piece of Tai Sui Spirit Meat. Once it was about rare, an enticing meaty aroma wafted into his nostrils, and he began to feast.
Soon, Xu Qing had finished the entire pound of Tai Sui Spirit Meat.
'Baji Fist.'
After eating his fill, Xu Qing began to practice Baji Fist. His Fist Technique was masterful and imposing, stirring up gusts of wind. Every single move carried a fierce and powerful momentum.
In the blink of an eye, three hours had passed.
"Hoo…"
Xu Qing slowly concluded his practice.
[Baji Fist LV6: 15/320.]
'I haven't practiced Baji Fist at all today. Instead, at the Martial Arts Hall, I practiced the Cyan Eagle Force and Eagle Claw Technique several times because of Du Cangying's instruction.'
'It'll be a while before Baji Fist is ready to level up,' Xu Qing thought. 'But as for Cyan Eagle Force and Eagle Claw Technique…'
...
[Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force LV1: 12/10 (Upgradeable!)]
...
[Eagle Claw Technique LV1: 13/10 (Upgradeable!)]
...
"Upgrade the Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force."
Xu Qing said.
HUM!
Innumerable tiny figures seemed to appear before Xu Qing's eyes, flooding into his mind. His consciousness felt as if it had entered a mystical space, where it endlessly practiced the Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force.
BOOM!
Finally, the Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force became even stronger in Xu Qing's hands, and the Ming Jin he could erupt with grew sharper.
[Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force LV2: 2/20 (…)]
"Hoo…"
Xu Qing opened his eyes, feeling as if he had been suddenly enlightened. The Cyan Eagle Force had become much more powerful in his hands, and the Ming Jin he could condense was also stronger.
'Not bad.'
Xu Qing nodded with satisfaction.
"Upgrade Eagle Claw Technique."
Xu Qing said again.
HUM!
It was the same scene all over again.
Not long after, with a final mental BOOM!, Xu Qing opened his eyes. His understanding of the Eagle Claw Technique had deepened significantly, and moreover, it had merged with his Cyan Eagle Force.
The combat technique and the Training Technique had fused.
[Cyan Eagle Claw Force LV1: 0/20 (The combat technique, Eagle Claw Technique, and the Training Technique, Upper Chapter of Cyan Eagle Force, have combined. The essences of the two Martial Arts have fused together, forming a brand new Martial Art that possesses the essence of both a combat and a Training Technique.)]
"Martial Arts can fuse?"
Xu Qing said in a surprised tone.
In fact, Xu Qing had no idea that both the Cyan Eagle Force and the Eagle Claw Technique originated from the Cangying Martial Arts Hall's 'Fundamental Skill.' They shared the same lineage and source, so it was only natural that they could fuse.
That night,
Xu Qing put on the Evil Ghost Mask to sleep. He did this because wearing the mask for one minute granted one Experience Point.
Therefore, to level up the Evil Ghost Mask as quickly as possible, he decided to wear it while he slept, allowing him to gain Experience Points in his sleep.
...
[Experience +1]
...
[Experience +1]
...
[Experience +1]
...
Even after he fell asleep, the Evil Ghost Mask's Experience Points continued to increase steadily.
Meanwhile,
At the Qingbei Town Outer City Government Office.
"Stop the investigation."
At that moment, Xu Weiran spoke, telling his subordinates to stop their work. "According to today's news, Xu Qing has become an Official Disciple of the Cangying Martial Arts Hall. And not just an ordinary Official Disciple—he's a disciple recognized by Du Cangying himself and has formally taken him as his master."
"But…"
"But, Chief Constable, we've nearly finished our investigation. We questioned the neighbors, and they personally saw Xu Qing return home in the evening. They didn't see him go out again all night."
"The Madam of Chunfeng Tower also said that Xu Qing arrived very late that night, didn't stay long, and didn't spend a single coin."
"These and other direct leads all indicate that Xu Qing wasn't telling us the truth."
Several constables added quickly.
"That's enough."
Xu Weiran shook his head. "So what do you propose? Are you going to send men to storm the Cangying Martial Arts Hall and drag Xu Qing here for interrogation?"
"First,"
"Xu Qing hasn't done anything illegal. Even if he really did kill that Corpse Ghost, it would be a commendable act."
"And finally,"
"since that master is unwilling to reveal himself, we should stop pursuing the matter."
"Yes."
"As you command, Chief Constable."
"We understand."
"…"
The constables all nodded.
However, one of the constables' eyes flickered as he seemed to be contemplating something.
'Could it really be Xu Qing?'
After leaving, Xu Weiran fell into deep thought. 'If it really is him, that's terrifying. When he first entered the city, he was just a beggar. How could he become a master at the Great Success in Ming Jin stage in just a few days? If that's the case, Xu Qing must be hiding some great secret.'
"Hoo…"
Xu Weiran took a deep breath. 'It probably isn't him. It must be someone else. Besides, Xu Qing is already an Official Disciple of the Cangying Martial Arts Hall. With his current status, he's no longer someone I can interrogate at will.'
After all, in all of Qingbei Town, everyone knew of Du Cangying's fiercely protective nature.
Other Martial Arts Hall Masters might just pay lip service, but Du Cangying would truly, and daringly, take action.
The night passed without incident.
「The next morning.」
Xu Qing woke up early. He took off the Evil Ghost Mask and checked how many Experience Points it had gained after being worn all night.
[Evil Ghost Mask LV2: 542/20 (Upgradeable!)]
'Not bad.'
Xu Qing nodded. 'Overnight, it gained five hundred and forty Experience Points. That's enough to upgrade it several times.'
"Upgrade."
Xu Qing said.
HUM!
The Evil Ghost Mask in Xu Qing's hand flashed with white light.
The next moment, Xu Qing seemed to see a scene of the Evil Ghost Mask being reforged. Inside a room, an old artisan was painstakingly crafting the mask with all his effort.
It would be no exaggeration to say he poured his heart and soul into it.
Finally, the creation was complete.
The Evil Ghost Mask underwent a few subtle changes. Its overall color became a blue-black, as if it were giving off a faint blue-black fluorescent glow, taking on a hint of mystique.
[Evil Ghost Mask LV3: 522/40 (This is a mask made from clay by a skilled artisan. He poured his heart and soul into the process, exhausting a lifetime of effort. The mask has the effect of hiding one's face and concealing one's aura.) (Upgradeable!)]
"Upgrade."
Xu Qing said.
The situation was the same.
HUM!
Faintly, Xu Qing once again saw the process of the Evil Ghost Mask being reforged.
[Evil Ghost Mask LV4: 482/80 (This is a mask made from clay by a skilled artisan. He poured his heart and soul into the process, exhausting a lifetime of effort and infusing it with his very essence. The mask has the effect of hiding one's face and concealing one's aura.) (Upgradeable!)]
"Upgrade."
Xu Qing said again.
HUM!
The same scene appeared once more.
However, this time it was different.
First, the one making the mask was no longer a skilled artisan, but a witch-like, shamanistic figure. The materials had changed from clay to animal skin and flesh.
The scene became horrifying and bizarre.
Finally, the creation was complete.
[Evil Ghost Mask LV5: 402/160 (This is a mask made from the skin and flesh of animals by a Divine Woman who performs Sacrifices to Ghost Gods. It possesses the ability to change one's appearance and alter one's aura. Due to its crude construction, it is easily seen through.) (Upgradeable!)]
With a flash of white light, the Evil Ghost Mask in Xu Qing's hand transformed. It was no longer the same as before, but had become a leathery mask that felt like skin to the touch and was covered in strange patterns.
"Continue upgrading."
Xu Qing said.