Simplified Sword Drawing Technique

Tonight's surprise raid on the Black Tiger Gang's external affairs hall was unexpected for Ye Xiaofan, yielding an accidental haul of thirty-three thousand taels of silver.

After looting the Black Tiger Gang's external affairs hall, Ye Xiaofan didn't go home to the Demon Suppression Division. Instead, he snuck into a more secluded inn.

He wasn't sure if anyone was watching his home, so caution was best.

As for the Demon Suppression Division, carrying three large boxes filled with silver would easily attract unwanted attention.

"System, quickly simplify the Sword Drawing Technique."

Ye Xiaofan had the highest expectations for the Sword Drawing Technique, especially after the panel gained the ability to fuse cultivation techniques.

According to the cultivation technique, as long as one's talent and comprehension were sufficient to continuously integrate different sword styles, the Sword Drawing Technique had no upper limit.

With the panel, he didn't need talent or comprehension, only money.

He wasn't short on cash now. Two words: extravagant.

[Simplifying Sword Drawing Technique... Simplification successful... Drawing the 'One' character!]

The panel was as reliable as ever.

Ye Xiaofan immediately got a bowl of water and drew the character 'One' on the table with his finger.

Instantly, insights about the Sword Drawing Technique flooded his mind.

Unfortunately, his proficiency in the Sword Drawing Technique remained stuck at Proficient (4000/4000), unmoving.

However, Ye Xiaofan wasn't discouraged. Although his proficiency hadn't broken through Proficient, with continuous drawing of the 'One' character, he gained clarity and corrected previous misunderstandings or mistakes in his practice.

The next day, As dawn broke, Ye Xiaofan secretly left the inn, hiding the three boxes of silver in the inn's roof beams to retrieve them later that evening.

After finding a small stall for breakfast, he returned to the Demon Suppression Division.

After checking in, he returned to his small courtyard within the Demon Suppression Division.

News of the Black Tiger Gang's external affairs hall being destroyed spread like wildfire throughout Qingyang County.

County constables and Black Tiger Gang members rushed out everywhere, searching for suspects.

They used this opportunity to extort the populace, especially in the Black Tiger Gang's territory—the west of the city.

Dozens of people were arrested within half a day.

Most of these were refugees who had recently fled from outside; some weren't even cultivators.

The entire Qingyang County was in turmoil, with widespread discontent.

Ye Xiaofan heard about this but didn't pay it much mind.

He didn't believe the Black Tiger Gang or the county constables could find him.

Even if they found him, he wasn't afraid. As a Demon Suppressing Guard, they wouldn't dare openly attack him.

As long as he remained within the Demon Suppression Division, his safety would be guaranteed.

Moreover, with his cultivation speed, it wouldn't be long before he reached the level of the top cultivators in Qingyang County, and then he would directly attack the Black Tiger Gang.

He would slay Zhang Dahu and the one-armed man to find out why they tried to assassinate him.

Once the source of the problem was resolved, all problems would cease to be problems.

As for those innocent people, Ye Xiaofan could only offer his apologies.

Being born in troubled times without great power was a mistake in itself.

Time passed.

The sun set, and the evening clouds dyed half the sky red.

As Ye Xiaofan was leisurely drinking tea in his courtyard, an unwelcome guest arrived.

Luo Ming.

Luo Ming's return meant he could be sent on a mission at any time.

After being pursued by the one-armed man, Ye Xiaofan felt extremely insecure.

His Body Refining Third Level cultivation was still too low, and it would take about six more days to break through to Body Refining Fourth Layer.

"Uncle Luo, you're back."

"Very good. If General Ye were still here, he would be very pleased."

Luo Ming had watched Ye Xiaofan grow up. The moment he saw Ye Xiaofan, his eyes lit up, and he patted his shoulder with satisfaction.

Although he couldn't discern Ye Xiaofan's specific cultivation level, a dormant power within him made him feel a trace of unease.

He was at Body Refining Fifth Level, and having such a feeling meant Ye Xiaofan could already pose a threat to his life.

Luo Ming brought some wine.

The two sat in the courtyard, eating and chatting.

"Uncle Luo, regarding my father's death, do you think it was an accident or foul play?"

Luo Ming fell silent, drinking heavily.

"Xiaofan, I have my suspicions, but I haven't found any clues. Don't try to investigate your father's death until you're strong enough."

"The sky over Qingyang County, I'm understanding it less and less."

Luo Ming sighed deeply, his tone filled with exhaustion and helplessness.

"I understand, Uncle Luo."

It wasn't until the crescent moon hung over the treetops that Luo Ming staggered away.

This Minor Banner Officer, who had faced life and death in the Demon Suppression Division for over twenty years, was drunk tonight.

Watching Luo Ming leave, Ye Xiaofan's desire to become stronger intensified.

After talking with Luo Ming, Ye Xiaofan gained a clearer understanding of the demonic creature disaster in Qingyang County.

Villages and towns within four hundred li of Qingyang County were now uninhabited, and large groups of refugees were continuously heading towards Qingyang County.

It was as if the entire Qingyang County was surrounded by demonic creatures, becoming an isolated island in a deep sea.

This time, when Luo Ming led his team to hunt down demonic creatures, five out of the ten-person squad died, and two of the remaining five were injured. He himself was severely wounded and almost didn't make it back alive.

Before leaving, Luo Ming cried loudly. The five who died were brothers he had known for years, having shared life and death.

"It's still too slow. I need to find a way to get high-grade cultivation techniques to increase my cultivation speed."

After seeing Luo Ming off, Ye Xiaofan immediately left the Demon Suppression Division. After disguising himself, he retrieved his silver and headed towards the Black Market.

This was his second time in the Black Market, and he could clearly feel that there were twice as many people as last time.

Most of the stalls were selling materials from demonic creatures.

Although demonic creatures ate people, the tendons, bones, skin, or scales of some of them were excellent materials for weapons and armor.

Therefore, many rogue cultivators formed groups to hunt and kill demonic creatures. Not only could they receive bounties from the Demon Suppression Division, but they could also sell the materials for a good profit.

Ye Xiaofan didn't browse around and went directly to Sihai Pavilion in the deepest part.

When he stated his intention to purchase a cultivation technique, the attendant who served him once again invited the manager of Sihai Pavilion, Qian Panghai.

Upon seeing Ye Xiaofan, Qian Panghai immediately recognized him as the person who had sold him the Black Tiger Gang's cultivation technique last time.

A person's disguise could be changed at will, but their habitual movements were difficult to alter, especially their gait.

As the manager of Sihai Pavilion in the Black Market, Qian Panghai had seen countless people, and Ye Xiaofan had not escaped his notice.

Especially when he saw the three boxes Ye Xiaofan was carrying on his back, combined with the sale of the Black Tiger Gang's cultivation technique and the theft from the Black Tiger Gang's external affairs hall yesterday.

Qian Panghai had a guess in his heart, but his face showed no change, and he maintained a smile.

"Esteemed guest, what kind of cultivation technique are you looking to purchase?"

After inviting Ye Xiaofan into the room, Qian Panghai stated his purpose directly.

"A low-grade sword technique, speed-type. I also want to buy some Blood Qi Pills."

Qian Panghai's eyes lit up, and he immediately took out a book bound with unknown beast hide from his pocket and handed it to Ye Xiaofan.

"Esteemed guest, please take a look. Tell me which one you like."

Ye Xiaofan didn't stand on ceremony and began to flip through it. The booklet was similar to those in the Demon Suppression Division's library, detailing the basic information of the cultivation techniques.

Ye Xiaofan was quickly drawn to a sword technique.

Thirteen Shadowless Swords, with thirteen stances and seventy-two variations. The sword strikes were as fast as lightning and invisible. Upon mastering it, one could unleash thirteen sword shadows.

"Manager, how much is this Thirteen Shadowless Swords?"

"Haha, esteemed guest has good taste. This sword technique was originally a mid-grade cultivation technique, but unfortunately, only the first six stances remain. Therefore, it is sold as a low-grade cultivation technique for 1600 taels or 14 Blood Qi Pills."

Ye Xiaofan frowned slightly.

"Manager, can you make it a little cheaper? I also want to buy 10 Blood Qi Pills."

"Esteemed guest should know that besides the Demon Suppression Division, only my Sihai Pavilion sells Blood Qi Pills in all of Qingyang County. I'll give you the Demon Suppression Division's price. How about 2600 in total?"

"Deal!"

Qian Panghai, just as he had done last time, stood at the door to see Ye Xiaofan off.

Only after Ye Xiaofan's figure completely disappeared did he turn and head back upstairs.

At this moment, a person dressed entirely in black, wearing a black iron ghost mask, appeared before Qian Panghai.

"Sell the information to the Black Tiger Gang."