Zhao Huai looked at his newly upgraded Fate Trait, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Peak Intent? This special effect is far too heaven-defying, isn't it?"
First, its stacked power had doubled from before, reaching four times the original strength.
Moreover, this special effect meant that as long as he activated Intent and entered the peak state, he would receive the enhancement of double his cultivation. It was equivalent to a skill that burned blood essence, except it did not consume his vitality.
One enhanced the power of his techniques, while the other raised his cultivation.
Thus, Zhao Huai came up with a conjecture.
With the support of the Peak Intent Fate Trait, if he activated Intent again, could the explosive power of his techniques stack further? If it could, then with the two overlapping, would the power unleashed be eight times the original?!
Zhao Huai's mind began spinning rapidly.
A strong adult man could throw a punch with roughly one hundred and fifty kilograms of force.
A Qi Refinement cultivator was ten times stronger than that, capable of unleashing one thousand five hundred kilograms of force.
And the force of his punch was eight times that of an ordinary Qi Refinement cultivator. That meant twelve thousand kilograms!!
After activating Intent, he could casually strike with Ten Thousand Jin Strength?
Punching a burly Demon Beast to death would be effortless!
Although the calculations above were merely Zhao Huai's impromptu speculation, with many uncertain factors, they did not diminish the value of eightfold power in the slightest.
"Fuse the Peak Intent Fate Trait."
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Huai immediately absorbed the Fate Trait.
As the glowing cluster of the Fate Trait bloomed to its utmost brilliance,
Zhao Huai carefully sensed the changes throughout his body. He discovered that every cell in his body seemed to have opened up, becoming exceptionally fervent and lively. The width of his meridians increased, and True Qi flowed through them even faster.
The quality of the True Qi within him had improved considerably.
More importantly, the strength of his muscles surged, his blood and vitality roiled, and his entire spirit became far better than before.
If Zhao Huai's figure had previously leaned toward refined and slender, then his current physique could be called perfect.
Strength filled his body without sacrificing beauty. The lines of his muscles were incomparably perfect, neither too much nor too little.
This was the prerequisite for entering the peak state—his physical body had to be able to withstand it.
Zhao Huai felt extremely pleased with himself. He then dismantled Plant Scholar and upgraded Indestructible Body.
Diamond Body (Yellow-Grade Upper): Your physical body became extremely tough. Apart from magical artifacts, damage from iron weapons could be ignored entirely.
Unlike before, Diamond Body did not require the consumption of True Qi, and it could now render him immune to all damage from iron weapons. Because Fate Traits were limited, it had only risen by a minor stage and had not advanced to the Mysterious Grade.
"Senior, the cultivation technique has already been delivered to you."
Li Yanqing had seen Zhao Huai deep in thought and had not dared disturb him. Only now, when the lovely maid slowly approached with an exquisite Jade Slip held in both hands, did he dare speak up and remind him.
Zhao Huai returned to reality. Staring at the Soul-Subduing Mind Technique delivered before him, his heart could not help but stir.
"I'll give you the money later."
After he paid and handed over the spirit stones, Li Yanqing smiled and shook his head. "Consider this cultivation technique my tuition fee for Senior. From now on, you will be my teacher."
Three thousand spirit stones was an enormous sum, yet he gave it away just like that. This kid might not be entirely foolish after all; he still had some petty cleverness.
Zhao Huai thought helplessly.
"You said your father is a governor. Could he be the Jin Province Governor?"
As the saying went, one's mouth became soft after eating another's food, and one's hands became short after taking another's gifts. Zhao Huai's attitude was no longer as cold as before.
"Precisely."
Li Yanqing nodded, his expression grave. "A month ago, my father and the Crimson Sun Mysterious Sect discovered a new spirit mine. He is responsible for mining it. Senior, rest assured—so long as you teach me to enter the Qi Refinement Realm, spirit stones will naturally not be in short supply."
"You even dare tell me something this confidential. Aren't you afraid I'll sell you out?"
The corner of Zhao Huai's mouth twitched. He was rather speechless.
So this kid's household had a mine. No wonder he was so extravagantly wealthy.
Great Xia had only recently been established, and each province had a governor, regarded as the foremost local authority. The position of Jin Province Governor was quite high indeed.
Geographically, Jin Province lay near the sea in the south. It prospered through the salt trade and could be considered one of Great Xia's wealthy regions.
"I trust Senior."
Li Yanqing said this with utmost seriousness.
Seeing him like this, Zhao Huai was slightly moved. Ever since arriving here, he had always felt that this world was cruel and filled with deception and scheming, yet this kid's attitude made him revise that impression somewhat.
"This concludes today's auction. Thank you all for coming, and we look forward to seeing you next time!"
Li Yuanxing, standing behind the counter at the center, looked at the completely emptied display area with a face full of smiles before announcing the end of the auction.
The four masked people below the stage gave the private room atop the platform a deep look, then left the scene.
Zhao Huai noticed their gazes and knew it was time to leave.
He looked at the Soul-Subduing Mind Technique in his hand.
He could not help sinking into thought.
Why did demons and devils need this cultivation technique so badly? At that moment, in Huai Pawnshop in the bustling eastern district, there sat an exquisite beauty.
The men passing by could scarcely keep themselves from sneaking a glance—not for any other reason than to feast their eyes.
The new wife the pawnshop owner had married was even prettier than Tofu Xi Shi from West Alley. What the devil was this? Who knew where he had abducted such a beauty from?
Yu Qinghan wore an expression of pure enjoyment as she basked comfortably in the sun. The high table before her was piled with melon seeds, pastries stuffed with dates, dried fruit preserves, and fresh fruit.
Facing the dazzling sunlight, she extended her slender jade-like hand and narrowed her eyes, like a lazy little cat.
This was how normal people were supposed to live—leisurely and carefree.
Yu Qinghan thought to herself.
What vegetables should she buy tonight? There were still two shichen left. Her husband should be returning soon, right?
It had been a long time since they had made dumplings. How about dumplings tonight? Chives and mutton filling?
Or pork and Chinese cabbage filling. Yet in the very next instant, a black shadow appeared by her side at the most inopportune moment, interrupting her thoughts.
"Princess, something terrible has happened!"
"What is it?"
Yu Qinghan asked calmly.
The woman emerging from the shadow dropped to one knee and reported, "Someone discovered that Princess's name and portrait had appeared on the Black Market's bounty list. The bounty was accepted this afternoon."
"Your subordinate tracked the two assassins all the way, but I was still one step too late. The assassins have likely already entered Jin Province, so I came specifically to notify Princess."
"They are merely assassins. I have fought powerful enemies in the Foundation Establishment Realm before. What is there to fear?" Yu Qinghan shook her head, utterly unafraid.
"Princess may not be afraid, but Young Master Zhao..."
"Yes, my husband..."
Yu Qinghan suddenly realized that, with her cultivation, she naturally had no need to worry about assassins. But Zhao Huai was different. He was only an ordinary man. What if the assassins did not try to kill her first and instead targeted her weak point? The beautiful maid saw Yu Qinghan abruptly rise to her feet. Her aura changed at once, and icy killing intent spread through the air.
"Princess."
The beautiful maid hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself, only to be interrupted.
"You watch the shop first. I'll be back shortly."
Yu Qinghan gripped her wrist and gave the order coldly.
In the next instant, she transformed into an afterimage and vanished from where she stood.
An incredibly swift figure swept across the rooftops, so fast that many people could not even make out what it was.
Pedestrians on the road turned their heads in astonishment. In broad daylight, where had this demonic wind come from?
Before you continue