Greedy and Insatiable

"What kind of situation is this!"

Yang Chen walked along, thinking and reviewing the pros and cons of his decision. The result was that neither side was pleasant.

If he didn't come to give gifts, once he was assigned to the mining area, Zhou Han could retaliate against him at any time.

Now that he had come, it felt like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth.

If nothing unexpected happened, Chen Jinhai had already set his sights on him. When the time came to extort some benefits, Yang Chen would likely be the first person he thought of.

"The first day I started missing Martial Uncle Lin..."

At this moment, he realized how good Lin Chuan was. Not only did he not withhold Spirit Crystals, but he also rewarded the disciples with various excuses.

With a hint of worry, Yang Chen arrived at the side room. He saw Huang An sitting at a table drinking tea from a distance.

Sensing someone's arrival, Huang An put down his teacup and looked over.

Seeing that it was Yang Chen, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

He hated two types of people the most in his life: geniuses, and geniuses younger than him.

Every time he faced a genius with an immeasurable future, he felt an unspeakable disgust.

Yang Chen quickly walked to the door and cupped his fists, saying, "Yang Chen greets Supervisor Huang!"

"Oh." Huang An's voice drew out, and after scanning Yang Chen up and down, he said unhurriedly, "What do you need from me?"

"This disciple wishes to inquire about the spirit field task."

Yang Chen leaned closer and took out 15 Spirit Crystals. "Although I've been doing tasks for over a year, I still have many points of confusion. I will undoubtedly need Supervisor Huang's guidance in the future."

Seeing the 15 Spirit Crystals, Huang An's greed flashed and disappeared, and a smile appeared on his face. "Of course, of course. As the supervisor of the spirit fields, this is my duty."

"However..."

Huang An changed the subject, a playful look on his face. "Junior Brother also knows that the Steward is going to re-draw lots. This drawing is purely based on luck."

Yang Chen's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, then quickly relaxed. He lowered his voice and said, "I still ask Supervisor Huang not to hold back his guidance."

Seeing Yang Chen's submissive demeanor, Huang An's mood improved greatly. He said meaningfully, "It just so happens that the Steward has assigned me the task of making the lottery box."

Yang Chen took out another 5 Spirit Crystals and handed them over. "I ask Senior Brother Huang for your special care."

Huang An licked his lips but did not take the 5 Spirit Crystals, as if he hadn't seen them at all. He looked around and said, "There are many people in our Area 8, and there are only so many good tasks. Whoever gets a good task can get more cultivation time. Don't underestimate this bit of time. Some people, after five years, are just one step away from the Outer Sect, precisely because they lack this bit of time. Junior Brother, don't you think it's a pity?"

Yang Chen's expression froze. After about three breaths of silence, he forced a smile and took out another 3 Spirit Crystals from his embrace.

Seeing Yang Chen's expression, Huang An felt greatly relieved. He also knew not to push too hard, otherwise, Yang Chen might just give up completely.

He immediately collected all the Spirit Crystals and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Yang, don't worry. We will definitely prioritize experienced disciples like you for the spirit field tasks. Go back and wait for my good news."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Huang."

Yang Chen put on a pained smile and left, looking back repeatedly.

"Hmph."

After Yang Chen left, Huang An snorted triumphantly and put all the Spirit Crystals into a bag under the table.

On the way down the mountain, Yang Chen's expression was somewhat gloomy.

The purpose of his visit today was achieved, but both Chen Jinhai's attitude and Huang An's greed made him furious.

Especially Huang An. He didn't care much about the 23 Spirit Crystals, but no one would be happy about being fleeced.

"Huang An!"

Yang Chen snorted and remembered this person in his heart.

When he became powerful, every single one of these people would not escape his reckoning.

He returned to his residence and gradually calmed down. Sometimes, it was like this: when you are under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head.

It was not shameful to keep a low profile; one just had to learn from humiliation and become stronger.

Two afternoons later, the lottery for task assignments began.

The assignment results were not unexpected by Yang Chen. All those who received good tasks had connections. The vast majority of them were familiar faces, and only a very small number were lucky individuals used by Chen Jinhai to silence others.

He still retained his spirit field task.

After the lottery, his days returned to peace. He cultivated step by step every day to ensure steady progress in his cultivation.

In addition, he spent 3 Spirit Crystals to erect an iron post outside the No. 8 spirit field, specifically for practicing sword techniques.

Clang clang clang!

On the shoulder of the road outside the No. 8 spirit field, the sound of metal clashing could be heard from time to time.

Yang Chen, holding a long sword wrapped in special cotton cloth, practiced the Ten Sword Technique with basic moves such as thrusts and lifts.

It was recorded in the Sword Technique Essays that to achieve something in the way of the sword, one's foundation must be solid.

The foundation referred to here was basic skills.

A sword is an extension of the arm, but to wield it as if it were one's own limb, countless basic practice sessions are necessary.

Only when the foundation is solid can one's sword strikes be fast, accurate, and steady, truly hitting whatever they aim for.

It's like shooting at a target. Many people aim for the bullseye, and their sights are set on the bullseye, but without tens of thousands of practice sessions, the results are often far from ideal.

Swish, swish!

The clanging of metal striking metal was incessant, and the sound of swords cutting through the air rose and fell.

Yang Chen, transformed into a sword fanatic, ignored everything outside his world, dedicating his entire being to practicing his sword.

On the distant field ridge, Xu Qingqing watched this scene, a strange expression appearing in her eyes.

Ever since she heard the commotion last time, she had paid more attention to Yang Chen. For the past few days, Yang Chen had been swinging his sword tens of thousands of times daily, rain or shine.

"Is this the reason his swordsmanship has improved so quickly?"

Three days ago, she had discovered that Yang Chen's swordsmanship was extremely high-level, having directly advanced one technique to Minor Accomplishment. Furthermore, she suspected Yang Chen practiced more than just one sword technique, and the realm of another was likely not far behind.

"He practices at least two sword techniques, and both are at Minor Accomplishment..."

Xu Qingqing felt a hint of dejection. Yang Chen had obtained the sword techniques for a shorter time than she had, yet he had surpassed her and moved ahead.

"Junior Sister Xu, peeking at others practice sword is not a good habit."

Just as Xu Qingqing was distracted, Yang Chen's voice reached her.

Xu Qingqing's cheeks flushed. As she was about to explain, she realized Yang Chen had already sheathed his sword and walked into the wooden house.

She pursed her lips, feeling a sense of unease in her heart.

It wasn't that she was too proud and needed others to fawn over her, but after so many years, too many people had flocked to her. Yang Chen's casual attitude made it difficult for her to adapt immediately.

"Oh no!"

Inside the wooden house, Yang Chen glanced repeatedly into his storage bag.

The Qi and Blood Pills and other resources were gone!

He rubbed his hair, only then remembering that Wang Feng no longer handled resource deliveries.

From now on, he would have to personally purchase all resources from the small town.

"I'll go in the afternoon."

He thought for a moment, took out the Sword Technique Essays, and continued to study them.