Vagrant Alliance

With some time before the Xuanyao Auction House event, Lin Zhao found a breezy spot and set up his stall efficiently.

He didn't need to pay for the stall separately; the fee was already included in the entrance price for a bowl of "Huben Brew"—to enter the Xuanyao Tavern's black market, one had to first purchase a bowl of "qualification wine" for one tael of silver. It wasn't just about drinking; it served as a pass to the back courtyard's trading area, which also included the right to use this three-foot-square stall.

"This Xuanyao Tavern is going to be richer than the country," Lin Zhao muttered to himself as he arranged three waist sabers he had personally forged from Mystic Iron. He ran his finger along the fine hundred-refinement forging patterns on the blade—each line contained "pulse protecting fine marks" he had forged according to his family's secret recipe. These marks would allow martial artists to circulate their internal energy more smoothly when wielding the saber.

Compared to the Xuanyao Tavern, Ruibao斋 in Northern Garrison City was like a peddler hawking wares on the street.

He roughly estimated that the entrance wine fees alone at the Northern Garrison City branch would bring in at least three thousand taels of pure silver daily, totaling over a million taels a year. This sum was comparable to the annual revenue of a high-ranking earldom, and that didn't even include the commission from black market transactions.

When his father was alive, he had considered investing in the Xuanyao Tavern, even if it was just for a one-thousandth share. However, his father, who held a hereditary Battalion Commander position, had scoured all the Xuanyao Tavern branches across thirteen northern and southern provinces but couldn't find any way to invest.

Rumor had it that the Xuanyao Tavern, established at the founding of the nation, had never accepted new shareholders. The depths of its influence were enough to drown even martial arts families.

"Little brother, how much for this saber?" A man wearing a white wolf fur mask quietly approached the stall. His voice was kept very low, and his knuckles unconsciously brushed against the soft sword at his waist. The sword's scabbard gleamed with Mystic Iron, indicating it was a fine product tempered with internal energy. It was clear he was a martial artist from the Jianghu who wished to conceal his identity.

Lin Zhao also lowered his voice, tapping the saber's body with his fingertip. "Hundred-refinement Mystic Iron Saber, forged with pulse protecting fine marks to smooth a Martial Master's internal energy. Eight taels of silver per saber, no bargaining. If you need custom weapons adapted for fierce or gentle internal energy, or bulk orders for armor, that can also be arranged, but you'll need to provide detailed blueprints and clearly mark the internal energy transmission requirements."

Upon hearing this, the man reached out and picked up a saber. With a slight flick of his wrist, the saber emitted a faint "hum"—he was clearly testing its capacity to receive internal energy. He then curled his lip. "It's two taels more expensive than Ruibao斋's ordinary Mystic Iron saber. Not worth it." With that, he turned and merged back into the bustling crowd inside the building, not even glancing back.

Lin Zhao wasn't in a hurry. He knew the quality of his sabers. The blade was made of Northern Desert Fine Iron, which he had repeatedly forged eighty-two times. During the quenching process, Mystic Dragon Gall Powder was added to the edge. For an ordinary beginner Martial Master wielding this saber, cutting through standard Bincheng Iron Armor would be like slicing tofu. Eight taels of silver was truly not expensive.

Those who entered the Xuanyao Tavern were either local gentry with martial power or bounty hunters and escorts from various regions. There were always people who knew quality.

As expected, before half an incense stick's time had passed, a man as sturdy as an iron tower stopped at his stall. He wore a Bincheng Iron face-covering helmet, revealing only a pair of sharp, piercing eyes. At his waist hung a Mystic Iron chain meteor hammer, the size of a bowl. The hammer body was inscribed with the characters "Mountain Splitting," and the chain was forged from Western Regions Cold Iron. It hung heavily at his waist, and as he walked, the internal energy circulating within made the chain tremble, emitting a cold gleam.

Judging by the aura emanating from him—his internal energy was like a deep thunder, and the surrounding air seemed to be compressed and stagnant—he was clearly a Peak Martial Master, even stronger than the "Iron Mask" who had bought the Pangolin Dragon Essence from him last time. He was likely only one step away from becoming an Entering Martial Master.

"I heard you can custom-make sabers, weapons, and armor adapted to martial path internal energy?" the man asked. His voice was like a booming bell, his internal energy enveloping his words and making Lin Zhao's ears tingle, even causing the curtain of the stall to sway.

Lin Zhao looked up, his brow beneath the Mystic Iron Rakshasa Mask lifting slightly. His mind was already racing: Another Peak Martial Master. Judging by the style of this meteor hammer, he practices fierce techniques like 'Mountain Splitting Force.' His internal energy is powerful. I'll need to thicken the saber's spine and forge more resistance patterns when customizing his weapons.

"That's right," he replied crisply, tapping the pulse protecting pattern on the saber's body with his fingertip. "As long as you provide detailed blueprints and clearly mark the Martial Master's internal energy attributes—whether it's fierce, gentle, or stable—I can forge sabers, weapons, armor, and even hidden mechanisms. The weapons I forge can withstand eighty percent of a Peak Martial Master's internal energy without cracking."

The man heard this and reached out to pick up another saber. This time, he directly infused a third of his internal energy into it. The saber let out a long "hum," but not the slightest crack appeared. His tone finally softened. "It seems you are a blacksmith who understands the martial path, not just an ordinary craftsman who only knows how to hit iron."

"So-so. I make a living with my craft and save up some money for cultivation medicine," Lin Zhao said with a smile, his tone carrying a degree of honesty. In a black market crowded with martial artists, honesty was often the best form of protection.

"I'll take these two sabers," the man said. He flipped his wrist, and five taels of pure horseshoe silver clanged onto the stall's surface, the silver ingots pressing a hollow into the coarse cloth. This was just enough for the sixteen taels for two sabers, with an extra four taels as a deposit for long-term cooperation. "Additionally, I'd like to place a long-term order with you: you must sell the sabers, weapons, and armor you forge to me first, and you are not allowed to sell them to other noble families or the martial camps under feudal lords. The price is negotiable; I'll pay twenty percent more than the market price. If you can forge weapons that can adapt to 'Dragon Realm' internal energy, I'll add another fifty percent."

Lin Zhao's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he needed—a long-term sales channel for his blacksmithing business would secure the funds for cultivation medicine.

He immediately nodded. "Deal! The transaction location will be the back courtyard of this Xuanyao Tavern. I'll wait here three days in advance for each delivery."

He didn't feel safe conducting transactions outside. At his current level as a beginner Martial Master, if he encountered a Peak Martial Master who intended to rob him, he might not even have a chance to protect his weapons and escape.

However, the Xuanyao Tavern had a strict rule: no fighting was allowed inside. Violators would have their internal energy crippled on the spot by the tavern's reclusive Grandmaster Warriors. Even the personal guards of feudal lords had to abide by the rules here, making it the safest place.

"Agreed. May our cooperation be smooth," the man nodded, his knuckles tapping the edge of the stall. "May I know your name, sir? It would be convenient for future deliveries."

Lin Zhao touched the Mystic Iron Rakshasa Mask on his face and casually made up a pseudonym: "Rakshasa Shen Luo."

"Very well, Mr. Shen Luo." The man took out a stack of folded cowhide blueprints from his embrace and handed them over. The blueprints marked the dimensions of sabers, spears, and armor, with key areas for internal energy transmission specifically circled in red. "I will come to the Xuanyao Tavern to find you on the last day of every quarter. The quantity I require is not small. Besides sabers and armor, I also need horse tack adapted for the Western Regions Snow-Treading Steed, all according to the blueprints. The horse tack must be able to withstand the enhancement of a Martial Master's internal energy to prevent injury to the mount during riding."

He paused, then leaned forward half a step, lowering his voice further, with a hint of probing. "By the way, Mr. Shen Luo, are you interested in... joining a highly promising 'Martial Path righteous cause'? Upon its success, you could at least obtain the complete set of Body Tempering Pills for an Entering Martial Master and even apprentice under a Legendary Master Warrior."

"Not interested," Lin Zhao interrupted without a second thought. His mind was filled with practicing the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique and finding the Mystic Ice Breathing Technique. He didn't want to get involved in any "righteous cause." What if it was some treasonous plot? Wouldn't that endanger the entire Lin Family Fortress?

The man was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a swift refusal. He then chuckled, his internal energy causing his beard beneath the mask to tremble. "If you change your mind in the future, you can tell me next time we meet for delivery." With that, he picked up the two Mystic Iron sabers, the Mystic Iron meteor hammer swung at his waist, and strode out of the Xuanyao Tavern. The airflow generated by his internal energy caused the curtains of the surrounding stalls to rustle.

Lin Zhao watched his retreating back, his heart filled with joy. "Done! I finally have a sales outlet! With my skill in forging pulse protecting patterns, why would anyone not want them? Before, no one in the Lin Family Fortress recognized the value of my forged sabers. But here in the black market, gold truly shines!"

He mused that the man, with his fierce internal energy and need for a large quantity of armor and weapons, and his invitation to join him, was likely someone from a hidden martial arts faction preparing for an uprising in secret. But what did that have to do with him?

He wore a Mystic Iron mask and used a pseudonym. Even if the other party was up to something, it wouldn't implicate him. He just needed to forge sabers, earn silver, and focus on his cultivation.

Meanwhile, in a secluded martial artist's mansion in the northwest corner of Northern Garrison City, the man who had just concluded his transaction with Lin Zhao was removing his Bincheng Iron face-covering helmet, revealing a face covered in old scars. A prominent scar ran from his brow bone to his jaw on his left cheek, the wound still faintly glowing with condensed internal energy, giving him a ferocious appearance.

He knelt on one knee on the bluestone floor. In the center of the hall before him, a bare-chested, robust man was meditating on a Mystic Iron cushion, practicing his breathing. His bronze skin was covered in bulging muscles. With every breath, his chest muscles could be seen rising and falling, with pale white internal energy exhaling and inhaling like dragons, causing the surrounding candlelight to flicker.

"Branch Master, your subordinate, Black Bear Guard, has found another master craftsman who understands martial path forging. We have already arranged for long-term cooperation. He can forge weapons suitable for Peak Martial Masters and even adds pulse protecting patterns," the man said, head bowed, his tone respectful. He deliberately restrained his internal energy, fearing he might disturb the other's breathing practice.

The robust man slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. As he stood up, his internal energy coiled around him like a dragon, creating a gust of wind. He was eight feet tall, his physique like a small iron tower. Even the kneeling Black Bear Guard appeared shorter beside him.

As he put on a fine iron armor forged with "Mountain Splitting Patterns," he spoke, his voice hoarse like grinding stones, vibrating with internal energy. "Well done, Black Bear Guard. I am very satisfied with your recent work. May the Desolate God witness your loyalty. When our 'Vagrant Alliance' rises, you will be the first to be rewarded."

This robust man was Zhou Xuan, the Branch Master of the Vagrant Alliance's Northern Garrison Branch. His internal energy had reached the threshold of the "Dragon Realm," making him a notable expert within the Desolate God Society.

"It's been a while since I visited the main headquarters. I wonder how the armament preparations of our Vagrant Alliance are progressing?" Zhou Xuan looked up, a hint of urgency in his tone. He had been anticipating the day of their uprising for three years.

The Black Bear Guard quickly replied, "Reporting to the Branch Master, our Vagrant Alliance currently possesses two thousand five hundred sets of Mystic Iron armor, three thousand sabers with internal energy transmission, and one thousand Western Regions Snow-Treading Steeds—all good horses capable of withstanding the enhancement of a Peak Martial Master's internal energy. Over the years, we have sought out over fifty martial path blacksmith masters in the northern prefectures, working day and night to forge armaments. We have also acquired a considerable number of retired military weapons from the northern desert black market, all with the aim of quickly increasing the size of our martial camp. Once we receive the order from the main headquarters, we will be able to take Northern Garrison City!"

He was the leader responsible for the procurement and forging of armaments for the Vagrant Alliance. In addition to being a Peak Martial Master, he also understood "internal energy adaptive forging techniques," enabling him to discern whether a weapon was compatible with a martial path technique. This was why he personally went to the Xuanyao Tavern to find reliable craftsmen. Ordinary blacksmiths only knew how to hit iron; they couldn't forge weapons capable of supporting the internal energy of a Peak Martial Master.

Branch Master Zhou nodded, then frowned, his knuckles turning white. Internal energy condensed into pale white orbs in his palms. "Not enough, still not enough! To overthrow those noble families and feudal lords who control the martial resources of the north, we need at least ten thousand fully armed martial path cavalry, over a hundred Martial Masters capable of charging into battle, and top experts who can contend with the 'Entering Martial Masters' of those noble families!"

He clenched his fist, his voice filled with fervent anticipation. "I am now only one step away from becoming an 'Entering Martial Master.' If I can obtain one more 'Ink Flood Dragon Body Tempering Pill' and use it to guide my internal energy to break through the Ren and Du meridians, I will achieve a breakthrough. Once I break through to Grandmaster Warrior, our Vagrant Alliance will have two Grandmaster Warriors, and we won't have to act so cautiously, nor will we have to forge armaments in secret!"

"Congratulations, Branch Master!" The Black Bear Guard's face showed genuine excitement. He exerted slight pressure with his knees, causing faint indentations in the bluestone floor. "With your presence, Branch Master, and the assistance of the Divine Envoy, our Vagrant Alliance will surely overthrow the control of the noble families and provide fair cultivation opportunities for all martial artists in the north!"

Branch Master Zhou waved his hand, suddenly remembering something. He took out an ancient dark wood pot from his embrace. The pot was engraved with fine "Breath Infusion Patterns" that could slowly nourish internal energy, appearing to be decades old.

"Right, the last transaction with the Divine Envoy went smoothly. Thanks to Him, I broke through from 'High-level Martial Master' to 'Peak Martial Master,' and my Mountain Splitting Breathing Technique also advanced, condensing my internal energy by thirty percent. I estimate that to break through to 'Entering Martial Master,' I will need the Divine Envoy to act once more to help me find an 'Ink Flood Dragon Body Tempering Pill.' This matter requires you to make a trip to the main headquarters and ensure you clearly convey our urgent need to the Divine Envoy."

The twenty-ninth day of the Gu Yu (Grain Rain) period in the twenty-third year of Jiajing, the last day of late spring when vitality was about to fade.

The monthly auction of the Xuanyao Tavern commenced as scheduled in the tavern's main hall.

Presiding over this auction was the proprietress of the Xuanyao Tavern, Su Meiniang, who was renowned throughout the north.

She wore a water-red silk jacket, embroidered with entwined lotus patterns at the collar. Her waist was cinched tightly, accentuating her full and graceful figure. As she walked, her internal energy subtly pulsed, giving even her skirt a gentle rhythm. Amidst the burning gazes of the martial artists in the hall, she gracefully ascended the high platform in the center. "The auction has begun," she announced crisply, her voice carrying a faint tremor of internal energy that instantly silenced the hall's clamor.

Lin Zhao, wearing a Mystic Iron Rakshasa Mask, sat in the corner of the last row. He subtly tapped his silver pouch—after spending eight hundred taels on the Earth Dragon Essence, he had just over two hundred taels left. He suspected he could only afford one item at this auction.

After all, anyone who could enter the Xuanyao Tavern was either wealthy or noble, influential figures from the Northern Territory: scions of aristocratic families, garrison officers, and martial merchants who controlled mining veins. Each of them could casually spend over a thousand taels.

In this era, nobility was everywhere, but without martial cultivation to back them up, even the highest titles couldn't command respect.

Looking around, there were at least ten Peak Martial Masters in the hall, their auras so heavy they could make ordinary martial artists struggle to breathe.

The Xuanyao Tavern's monthly auction featured a fixed ten items, mostly consigned by the tavern's "Xuan Yao Members."

Lin Zhao had already found out that by paying five hundred taels of silver once, one could become a "Xuan Yao Member" for five years.

During the validity period, not only was the fifty tael entry fee for each auction waived, but a ten percent commission fee was also deducted for purchased items. Furthermore, members received priority notification for rare martial arts materials.

Those damned wealthy nobles were members nine times out of ten.

For instance, his father had been a long-time member before his passing—when his father had just broken through to "Entering Martial Master" with the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique and was conferred the title of "Mystic Dragon Centurion," he had spent five hundred taels to get a membership. Unfortunately, this membership was not inheritable. After his father's death, Lin Zhao could only be an ordinary spectator, unable to even secure a seat in the front rows.

The first item was brought up by a waiter: a Bincheng Iron waist saber, three feet long. The scabbard was wrapped in sharkskin, and the hilt was wound with anti-slip rope, indicating it was a practical weapon for combat.

With Lin Zhao's current skill level as a "Martial Arts Blacksmith Apprentice (Third Rank)"—capable of independently forging weapons with "Pulse Protecting Patterns"—he could immediately tell this saber was special. The blade had undergone a hundred refinements, and the internal energy conduction patterns were extremely smooth, far beyond his current craftsmanship. It was undoubtedly made by a "Martial Grandmaster Artisan."

Moreover, the saber's style was ancient, and its edge emitted a faint blue glow, resembling a century-old technique, bearing the forging marks of the "Red Fire Anvil" lineage.

Su Meiniang's melodious voice echoed through the hall, amplified by her internal energy, reaching every corner clearly: "This is the personal saber of a Centurion from the Qi Family Army a hundred years ago, personally forged by the Imperial Household Department's 'Martial Grandmaster Artisan' of that era—'Red Fire Anvil' Zhao Hai. This Grandmaster Zhao was someone who once cast the 'Dragon Pattern Imperial Saber' for the late Emperor. The blade can withstand eighty percent of a 'Peak Martial Master's' internal energy without collapsing. It is a top-tier item, whether for fighting on the battlefield or as a martial arts collectible at home. The starting bid is two hundred taels of silver, with each increment no less than ten taels."

As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall instantly heated up. Many martial artists straightened their bodies, their gazes fixed on the saber.

"Good heavens, the first item is this impressive! Few in the Northern Territory can match 'Red Fire Anvil's' craftsmanship in a century!"

"I've seen his name in the 'Northern Martial Arts Hundred Crafts Record.' They say his forged sabers can slice Mystic Iron like mud and even help martial artists nurture their internal energy!"

A middle-aged blacksmith in short attire whispered to his companion, his fingers unconsciously mimicking forging gestures—his greatest wish in life was to touch the threshold of a "Martial Grandmaster Artisan."

Lin Zhao was also secretly astonished.

Over the past year, he had followed the old blacksmiths of Lin Family Fortress to learn his craft. In his spare time, he would glean forging anecdotes from Zhao Tieying or from books like "Tiangong Kaiwu: Martial Forging Chapter" and "Northern Forging Records."

This "Red Fire Anvil" Zhao Hai was indeed a renowned "Martial Grandmaster Artisan" from a hundred years ago in the Northern Territory. He specialized in integrating "Breath Infusion Patterns" into weapons, allowing ordinary Mystic Iron sabers to accommodate the internal energy of high-level Martial Masters.

Speaking of which, the profession of martial arts blacksmithing did not have clear rank divisions like military households. However, insiders still divided it into three tiers based on skill:

- The lowest tier is "Martial Arts Blacksmith Apprentice": capable of forging ordinary weapons and understanding basic "Resistance Patterns." He is currently in this tier. With his ability to forge "Pulse Protecting Patterns," he is considered a "high-level apprentice." He is just short of completing his apprenticeship to become a "Formal Martial Artisan," which requires independently forging a set of armor with "Breath Infusion Patterns." - Above that is "Formal Martial Artisan": capable of independently crafting weapons and armor that can accommodate the internal energy of an "Entering Martial Master." Zhang Laochui of Lin Family Fortress is such a person—the chainmail Zhao Tieying wears was forged by Zhang Laochui, and a saber strike would have its force reduced by thirty percent. Unfortunately, Zhang Laochui was abducted by the "Mountain Breaker Gang" last month, who intended to force him to forge weapons for their members. He would settle this score sooner or later. - The top figures in blacksmithing are the universally recognized "Martial Grandmaster Artisans": capable of crafting divine weapons that can accommodate the internal energy of an "Entering Grandmaster Warrior," and even integrating "Martial Path Secret Patterns" into weapons, such as "Mountain Splitting Patterns" or "Cold Edge Patterns," giving the weapons special internal energy effects. These individuals would have nobles and military households lining up down the street, begging for their services. In any military town or aristocratic family, they were treasured, and even Garrison Deputy Commanders would treat them with respect. The gap between a "Formal Martial Artisan" and a "Martial Grandmaster Artisan" was comparable to the chasm between an ordinary soldier and a "Centurion" in the military households; among ten blacksmiths, perhaps not even one would become a Grandmaster.

Ultimately, this waist saber crafted by a Grandmaster was purchased by a young master from an aristocratic family in brocade robes for one thousand eight hundred taels of silver—after acquiring the saber, the young master immediately infused it with his internal energy to test it. The blade let out a long hum, and even the air was sliced into fine lines, drawing cheers from the hall.

Lin Zhao watched, knowing in his heart: the material and craftsmanship of this saber were likely not worth three hundred taels. Most of the price was driven up by the name "Red Fire Anvil"—the reputation of a Martial Grandmaster Artisan was more valuable than anything. The buyer was seeking the prestige that came with a "Grandmaster's weapon," as well as its collectible value.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his resolve to persevere in his forging skills strengthening: when he himself became a "Martial Grandmaster Artisan" in the future, he could earn not just thousands, but tens of thousands of taels of silver. Then, the armaments of Lin Family Fortress and his own cultivation resources would be secured, truly achieving a life of comfort.

The second item was a set of Mountain Pattern Armor, its plates gleaming with a dark luster, overlapping tightly.

According to Su Meiniang, the plates were forged from "Cold Iron Mystic Steel" produced in the Qilian Mountains, with a small, fingernail-sized piece of meteorite iron mixed in—Cold Iron Mystic Steel was three times tougher than ordinary fine iron, but its melting point was extremely high, requiring a Martial Master to use internal energy to fuel the charcoal fire for forging.

As for meteorite iron, it was a rare treasure in the Northern Territory, only found where meteorites had fallen from the sky. It could make the armor more stable when channeling internal energy, reducing the energy consumption of Martial Masters, and was even treasured by "Entering Grandmaster Warriors."

This set of Mountain Pattern Armor was eventually purchased by a Centurion from a military town for three thousand four hundred and eighty taels of silver—after acquiring it, the Centurion had his attendant try it on. Under the infusion of internal energy, the armor plates emitted a faint white glow, and even his own Mystic Iron saber left only a shallow scratch when it struck.

Lin Zhao mused inwardly: "This armor looks flashy, but it's far inferior to my 'Mystic Ice Secret Pattern Armor'! My armor is largely made of meteorite iron and includes two secret pattern arts, 'Armor Shrinking Secret Art' and 'Afterimage Guarding Stance.' In terms of value, how can it be measured by mere silver? It's just that I can't use it. Otherwise, with it on, ordinary Martial Masters' attacks wouldn't be able to break through my defense!"

Finally, it was time for the item he was most interested in.

Su Meiniang picked up two yellowed, thread-bound booklets, her fingertips gently brushing over the characters on the covers. She said softly, "Esteemed guests, the next two items are a set of family heirloom martial arts breathing techniques, being sold together. They are the 'Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique' from Mystic Wolf Fortress and the 'Black Bear Breathing Technique' from Black Bear Stockade.

These two cultivation methods are 'bloodline-bound' inferior techniques, only cultivatable by those with the family bloodline. The starting bid is one hundred taels of silver, with each increment no less than one tael.

Although they are not top-tier techniques, they are still martial arts secret manuals passed down through aristocratic families. If any guests enjoy collecting such methods, or wish to study bloodline martial arts, you may consider them."

Her words were clearly meant to prevent them from going unsold, so she added a few extra sentences—bloodline-bound techniques are useless books to outsiders. Who would spend money to buy a manual they couldn't practice?

Lin Zhao's heart stirred—he hadn't expected that the items being auctioned would be the family heirloom techniques of the neighboring Mystic Wolf Fortress and Black Bear Stockade!

Mystic Wolf Fortress and Black Bear Stockade were both small aristocratic martial arts families in the Northern Territory. Last winter, they were attacked by "Mystic Mane Fierce Wolves," and most of their male members were killed or injured. It seemed the remaining descendants were so desperate they were even selling their ancestral breathing techniques.

"Both of these are rudimentary methods that require bloodline compatibility to practice. Besides me—who might be able to break the bloodline restriction with the proficiency panel—who would spend this money unnecessarily?" Lin Zhao's lips curved into a smile. He subtly pressed his fingers on the edge of the table, preparing to bid.

As expected, the nobles and military households below discussed for a while, but few actually bid.

Some shook their heads, some sneered, and some whispered, "Buying this is not as good as buying two pounds of Body Tempering Pills."

After a few scattered bids, the price reached only one hundred and ten taels before no one else followed.

When Lin Zhao raised the price to one hundred and twenty taels, the hall fell completely silent. Even Su Meiniang was momentarily stunned, then smiled and brought down the gavel: "One hundred and twenty taels, sold to the masked guest in the last row!"

He successfully acquired these two family heirloom breathing techniques, calculating the cost: the price was quite reasonable.

If it were a "non-bloodline restricted" breathing technique, even an inferior one, it would be impossible to acquire for less than several thousand taels of silver—all martial artists in the Northern Territory knew that "cultivation methods are the root." Good breathing techniques were more precious than divine weapons.

These family bloodline cultivation methods are treasures to their own disciples, but to outsiders, they're like chicken ribs – too tasteless to eat, yet too wasteful to discard. In these chaotic times, who would spend money on a manual they can't even practice?

It's better to buy some weapons or body-tempering medicine instead.

As soon as the auction ended, Lin Zhao took the breathing technique manual and quickly left Xuanyao Tavern. He was afraid of prolonged trouble; what if someone changed their mind and tried to snatch the cultivation manual? While it was safe inside Xuanyao Tavern, things would be uncertain once he stepped outside.

He first went to a clothing store to change into a dark blue brocade short suit. Then, he went to Ruibao Zhai to gather all the ingredients for the "Mystic Dragon Secret Medicine." Except for the Pangolin Dragon Essence, which was temporarily out of stock, the other items were quite common. It cost him thirty taels of silver.

As for the dragon blood needed for the secret medicine, he specifically went to a wild game stall in a corner of the Black Market and bought a freshly slaughtered "Northern White Scaled Flood Dragon." This creature is common in the cold streams of the northern regions. Its venom is not strong, but its blood contains a faint cold attribute internal energy, which is perfect for neutralizing the potent energy of "Nine Profound Grass." It's an affordable substitute for refining "Mystic Dragon Secret Medicine."

Afterward, he visited the government academy's library in Northern Garrison City and several bookshops. He bought any books related to "Martial Arts Blacksmithing" or "Bloodline Breathing Techniques" at a high price, whether they were handwritten copies or printed editions. He was particularly interested in a book titled "Study of Northern Family Bloodlines," which recorded the bloodline origins of smaller families like the Mystic Wolf Fortress and Black Bear Stockade. Perhaps it could help him research how to break bloodline limitations using the Proficiency Panel.

Having done all this, Lin Zhao rushed back to Lin Family Fortress overnight. He didn't dare delay, partly because he was afraid the fortress would worry, and partly because the ingredients for the "Mystic Secret Medicine" needed to be fresh; otherwise, their efficacy would diminish.

This time, he took a secluded mountain path. Along the way, apart from encountering a few ordinary "Green Pattern Wolves," he didn't run into any bandits or mountain ruffians, so the journey was smooth. He figured that after the previous eradication of the "Mountain Breaker Gang," the small-time thieves in the area had been thoroughly scared off.

In the Year 23 of Jiajing, on the second day of the beginning of summer, the first ray of morning sunlight just touched Mount Xuan Yue Qixia.

Dusty and travel-worn, Lin Zhao finally arrived at Lin Family Fortress. He carried a cloth bag filled with books on his shoulder, a freshly bought White Scaled Flood Dragon blood sac tucked at his waist, and the fatigue of his journey on his face, yet it couldn't hide the brightness in his eyes.

Zhao Tieying, standing at the entrance of the fortress, saw him return and his usually tense face finally relaxed. He quickly strode forward, his hand instinctively resting on the long saber at his waist. For the past few days, he had come to the entrance to look several times a day, fearing that Lin Zhao might encounter trouble.

"You're finally back! The mood in the fortress has been a bit uneasy these past few days. Even the guards practicing the 'Basic Slash and Stab Technique' were distracted, fearing you might run into martial arts bandits in Northern Garrison City." As he spoke, he reached out and took the cloth bag from Lin Zhao's shoulder. The moment he felt its weight, he knew, "You bought so many books? It seems this trip was quite fruitful."