The People of the Ghost Mansion

"Pure Yang Art" is a martial art created by Qin Ming by combining the essence of various Horizontal Training Martial Arts and discarding their dross, taking the wisp of yang energy generated by "Iron Crotch Art" as its direction.

Therefore, Qin Ming had been searching for other Horizontal Training Martial Arts in an attempt to awaken the third stage, but without exception, he failed every time. Even after cultivating the eighth-grade Iron Body Shirt and Diamond Shield to the Perfection Realm, he still failed.

If he cannot enter the third stage, no matter how much Horizontal Training Martial Arts he practices, it will only increase his strength. In the Late Stages, the simple increase in strength will not significantly improve Qin Ming's strength, which is why he is eager to find a way to enter the third stage.

Unexpectedly, his chance encounter with Demon Arts actually led him to the direction of the third stage.

[Merge? Yes/No]

Qin Ming focused his mind and clicked "Yes".

In an instant, several Horizontal Training Martial Arts techniques at their Perfection Realm, including Iron Body Shirt, Diamond Shield, Ape-Armed Iron Stake Art, and Iron Head Skill, along with Demon Art, disappeared from the panel.

The Pure Yang Art has also been upgraded from the second stage to the third stage.

At the same time, Qin Ming keenly sensed a wisp of air entering his chest cavity.

This wisp of gas was originally a protective internal energy born from the Perfection Realm cultivation of the "Diamond Shield," specifically designed to protect the internal organs. However, after being mixed with Demon Art, the color of the internal energy changed from transparent to light green.

With a thought, Qin Ming's inner energy rapidly circulated through his meridians, completing a Greater Celestial Circuit and even becoming slightly thicker. "Have I cultivated Yao Power?"

Qin Ming was stunned.

Is the third stage actually going down the demon route?

Indeed, with his current physical body comparable to that of a demon, ordinary Horizontal Training Martial Arts is useless to him; Demon Arts are more suitable.

He himself had no idea what he would become if he continued cultivating like this.

"As long as I can survive in this chaotic world, what does it matter if I become a monster?"

A savage glint flashed in Qin Ming's eyes.

"Brother, now that you've seen my Demon Art, shouldn't you give me yours as well?"

The Ghost-Faced Monkey rubbed its hands together excitedly.

"Of course, I'll return this to you first."

Qin Ming returned the scalp to him, and just as the Ghost-Faced Monkey reached out to take it, Qin Ming suddenly struck, delivering a powerful Twin Peaks Piercing the Ears strike. At the same time, he mobilized all the remaining Pure Yang Fire in his Dantian, causing it to burst forth from his palms.

The moment the Pure Yang Fire touched the Ghost-Faced Monkey, it was like scalding hot water being poured onto ice and snow. Most of the Ghost-Faced Monkey's head melted instantly. He only had time to let out a scream before half of his body, along with his head, turned into a puddle of pus.

"Bang."

The Ghost-Faced Monkey's lower body lay on the ground, wisps of blue smoke rising from it, as it twitched incessantly.

Qin Ming was startled; he hadn't expected that the Pure Yang Fire would be so effective against the Ghost-Faced Monkey.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Pure Yang Fire is the nemesis of evil creatures. The Ghost-Faced Monkey is only half-human and half-demon, and it cultivates water-based Demon Arts. It has no power to resist Pure Yang Fire at all.

[Add 5,000 Free Attribute Points]

As the Ghost-Faced Monkey was burned to death, five thousand Free Attribute Points immediately appeared on the panel.

[Pure Yang Art (Third Stage): (1/30000) Not yet a beginner]

Looking at the extra five thousand attribute points, Qin Ming couldn't help but gasp. This person who cultivated Demon Arts was not only considered Ghost Monster, but also had so many Free Attribute Points. If he killed a few more, he would be able to enter the third stage very quickly.

After killing the Ghost-Faced Monkey, Qin Ming removed his human skin mask and returned to the Desolate City. He changed his clothes along the way, so he was not recognized.

Qin Ming searched the area but found no trace of Xiong San and his group.

The dock was already surrounded by layers of government officials, preventing unauthorized personnel from entering or leaving.

Many people are still setting up an altar for River God Sacrifice along the riverbank.

Qin Ming thought Xiong San and the others had already left the city, so he took advantage of the night to cross the river and leave.

"Look! There are people on the river!"

A constable spotted Qin Ming crossing the river on a single reed.

The news quickly reached Li Qingfeng's ears.

"It must be that damned little thief! How dare he come back!"

Li Qingfeng was furious.

"My lord, the River God Sacrifice is of utmost importance; the higher-ups are already urging us to proceed."

Lu Ming said.

"Alright, let him go for now. Tell the men to get things ready quickly. By the way, have all the Pure Boys and Girls been gathered?"

"We've got them all. I heard the Dog Demon from Ten Thousand Demon Valley has brought the person back."

Lu Ming said.

"Send more people; I don't want anything to go wrong this time."

"Clear."

A deserted courtyard.

As soon as Qin Ming got close, he smelled a faint demonic Yao Qi.

"Not good!"

Qin Ming was startled and immediately turned and went into the courtyard.

The Yao Qi in the courtyard was even stronger.

Pushing open the door, they found the room in a mess Lu Liu and Ye Wei were half-lying on the bed, practicing their internal energy to heal their injuries.

Hearing the noise, Wu Shi, who was weeping, looked up. When she saw that it was Qin Ming, a glimmer of light finally appeared in her previously lifeless eyes.

"Brother Qin! You're finally back!"

"What happened?"

Qin Ming had a bad feeling.

Upon learning that Wang Xiaoxi and Xiangxiang had been captured by the Dog Demon, Qin Ming was furious.

"The Dog Demon kidnapped them for the River God Sacrifice. There are still two days until the River God Sacrifice, junior Junior Brother. They must be in the Desolate City right now. If you don't know their exact location, it's too late to find them in such a large Desolate City!"

Lu Liu said quickly.

Qin Ming gradually calmed down. Senior Brother Lu was right. Xiangxiang and Xiaoxi would definitely appear at the River God Sacrifice in two days. But if he wanted to save them then, it would be extremely difficult. There would be not only Uncanny Shamaness, but also people from the County Yamen and Li Qingfeng, and even the monster in the river.

Qin Ming looked at the third stage of the Pure Yang Art on the panel.

He must find a way to improve his strength!

Half an hour later, Qin Ming appeared at the entrance of the pharmacy in the Desolate City.

He still had several hundred thousand taels of silver notes that he had obtained from the black-robed man from the Ghost Mansion.

Qin Ming is currently in the Bone Refining Realm, and he bought thirty Bone-Strengthening Pills in one go.

The Bone-Strengthening Pill is made primarily from three kinds of Spirit Medicine and supplemented with more than ten kinds of precious old herbs. The resulting pill has the effect of strengthening bones and improving Qi and Blood, and the effect is extremely obvious. Therefore, it is very expensive. Even the most ordinary pill costs several thousand taels of silver.

Even the scions of the city's prominent Lineage couldn't afford such a drain.

With the help of the power of thirty Bone-Strengthening Pills, Qin Ming successfully broke through to the Late Stage of the Bone Refining Realm.

Upon internal inspection, nearly 90% of his bones were covered in gold, and he was only one step away from becoming Golden Bone.

If Qin Ming can cultivate the third stage of the Pure Yang Art to the entry level, he is confident that he can reach the Golden Bone level.

He arrived at the largest Blacksmith Shop in town, where a dazzling array of iron weapons hung on the walls.

"Sir, what do you need? We have all kinds of weapons here. Just tell us what you need."

A young receptionist quickly approached, a professionally fake smile on her face.

I need a knife.

What kind of knife?

"Butcher's Knife!"

The receptionist was taken aback by what he heard.

This was the first time he'd ever heard of someone wanting to buy Butcher's Knife after working here for so long.

"Young master, we mainly sell high-quality weapons and armor here. I'm afraid we don't have what you're looking for. Perhaps you could try asking at the small Blacksmith Shop at the end of this street."

"No need, Butcher's Knife will do. I'll just pick one that I like. Lead the way."

Hearing Qin Ming say this, the receptionist could only nod and lead Qin Ming upstairs.

The second floor has rows of wooden shelves filled with a dazzling array of weapons. These weapons are neatly arranged, with each row representing a different type.

For example, there was a row of knives not far from Qin Ming.

Various types of curved swords and broadswords were neatly arranged.

Qin Ming casually picked up a semi-circular curved knife and brandished it a few times. "This one's alright."

"Young master has a good eye. This one is Hundred-Forged Steel; all the knives here are Hundred-Forged Steel."

Qin Ming nodded.

Although this knife wasn't as good as his previous Butcher's Knife, it was still usable.

"Are there any better knives?"

Qin Ming suddenly asked.

"This... even Hundred-Forged Steel is considered high-quality; it will break after more than a hundred uses, unless it's an extremely rare and special material."

"Hundred-Forged Steel" means a steel knife that has been repeatedly forged a hundred times.

Qin Ming picked out two knives, bought them, and tucked them into his waistband.

Holding Butcher's Knife provides an additional bonus, significantly enhancing his strength.

As darkness fell, Qin Ming stepped out of the shop and passed through an alley when a chilly wind blew past.

"Young master, there's Ghost Entity!"

Wan'er's voice rang in Qin Ming's ears.

"Ghost Entity? Perfect timing."

Qin Ming was just worried about not having enough Free Attribute Points, and this was like a pillow delivered to his sleepy head.

At the end of the alley, a gaunt, withered old woman appeared out of nowhere.

"It was her!"

Wan'er's voice was filled with shock, "She's the Master's ghost pet, she's been with Master for a long time, and last year he sent Master to the Ghost Mansion for further training and hasn't returned. Her strength is equivalent to the Blood Refining Realm Perfection Realm among you Martial Artists!"

Qin Ming's heart skipped a beat.

Blood Refining Realm Perfect Mastery!

Wouldn't that be almost equivalent to the Bright Strength level of strength?

Fortunately, he had recently improved his cultivation level considerably with the help of the Bone-Strengthening Pill, and with two swords in hand, he might still have a fighting chance.

"You two traitors, how dare you betray your Master! You deserve to Soul Scattering and never reincarnated!"

A hoarse, chilling voice echoed through the alley, while a cold wind rose, scattering fallen leaves across the ground.

A drunkard, carrying a wine jug, stumbled into the alley. Seeing the fallen leaves swirling on the ground and the old woman blocking his way, he muttered, "Where did this old hag come from? Get out of my way!"

As he spoke, he casually pushed the old woman aside, but unexpectedly, his hand passed right through her body.

"What!"

The drunkard was instantly sobered up by the shock.

"A ghost!"

He turned and fled in a panic.

The old woman chuckled strangely. The drunkard seemed to sense something was wrong. He looked down and saw that his body was shriveling up at an extremely terrifying speed. Countless drops of blood were rapidly leaking out through his pores and being sucked into the old woman's mouth.

"Thump!"

The drunkard crashed heavily to the ground, his bones shattering eerily, leaving only a thin layer of human skin on his once obese body.

The old woman licked her lips, and behind her, Wraith figures entered the drunkard's body one after another, forcibly propping up his body.

Soon, the drunkard swayed as he stood up. As more and more ghostly Wraith entered his body, his movements became increasingly fluid, and a ghostly fire burned in his eyes.

He stared intently at Qin Ming, let out a roar, and suddenly charged towards Qin Ming.