The Whole City Sees Him Off

Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber (Not Initiated)

Hundred Rivers Art (Not Initiated)

Roaring Tiger Dragon's Cry Golden Bell Shield (Initiated)

Current cultivation: 882 years

Wei Fan stared at the panel and fell into thought.

"I'll hold off on cultivating the Hundred Rivers Art for now. I'll decide once I reach the Demon Suppressing Division!"

His cultivation had remained at the True Qi Ninth Level, not because he had no way to obtain an Aperture Opening Realm cultivation method. Whether he sought out Ning Xuan and Su Xuerong or the other constables in Cloud City, he was confident he could get his hands on an Aperture Opening Realm cultivation method.

However, a martial artist could cultivate only one cultivation method. Switching to another was troublesome and might even damage one's cultivation, so he had always planned to obtain a truly top-tier cultivation method from the Demon Suppressing Division before breaking through to the Aperture Opening Realm.

At present, the Hundred Rivers Art was the only Aperture Opening cultivation method he had. He had no idea whether it was good or bad, so he could only wait until he reached the Demon Suppressing Division and compare it with others.

And if the Demon Suppressing Division happened to have an Aperture Opening Realm Golden Bell Shield cultivation method, he would very likely choose to continue cultivating the Golden Bell Shield.

Although the Golden Bell Shield was a widespread cultivation method passed down from the Demon Suppressing Division, it seemed different from all other martial arts.

"Use ten years of cultivation and add it to the Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber!"

Since he had decided not to break through to the Aperture Opening Realm for the time being, he would add cultivation to the Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber first.

Following his usual practice, he would start by adding ten years of cultivation.

The panel began to flicker:

10 years of cultivation deducted. Adding to the martial art Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber.

One year of cultivation: Your saber intent had long since reached minor accomplishment. A True Qi Realm saber technique was child's play to you. In just one day, you initiated the technique. In three days, it reached minor accomplishment. With one slash, you could unleash three saber shadows.

Seven days: You mastered the Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber. One slash, five cuts.

I underestimated it!

It seemed that with his current attainments in the saber, bringing the Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber to completion would not even take a year of cultivation.

But it would not be wasted. To him now, saber techniques were nourishment for nurturing his saber intent. Saber intent was the foundation.

His goal was not to learn another saber technique, but to strengthen his saber intent through a new technique.

Half a month: Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber reached major accomplishment.

One month: Your Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber reached completion. With one slash, you could unleash nine saber shadows, sweeping away all before you.

Two years of cultivation: You continued cultivating the Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber, using it to temper your saber intent.

Five years of cultivation: Your saber intent improved. With one slash, you could unleash twelve saber shadows.

Ten years of cultivation: Your saber intent became more condensed. With one slash, you could unleash eighteen saber shadows.

Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber (Complete)

Current cultivation: 872 years

At completion, the Nine Slashes of the Mad Saber could originally produce nine saber shadows with a single slash. Every one of those nine shadows possessed killing power, making it a formidable saber technique.

But now, after adding cultivation, he could unleash eighteen saber shadows with one slash, raising its might to another level.

Of course, what mattered most was that he could feel the improvement in his own saber intent. That was the truly important thing.

In his mind, saber shadows filled the sky before converging into one, finally becoming an indestructible saber intent.

"That'll do."

After going a full day without sleep, Wei Fan felt tired and closed his eyes to rest.

When he opened them again, the sky was already bright.

After getting up, washing, and changing into a fitted outfit, Wei Fan went out for breakfast first.

"Three big meat buns!"

Not knowing when he would return from Su City, he came to the bun shop he had frequented for a long time.

"Huh? Master Wei, you aren't wearing your constable uniform today. Aren't you going on duty?"

Seeing that Wei Fan was not wearing the familiar constable uniform, the bun shop owner was greatly surprised.

"No. I won't be going ever again!"

Leaving behind the money for the buns, Wei Fan turned and departed, leaving the owner standing there in a daze. Even when customers came to buy buns, he did not react.

After finishing the buns, Wei Fan returned home and began packing what he needed to take to Su City.

There was not much—just two changes of clothes, banknotes, and some loose silver. There was no need to bring anything else.

As soon as he finished packing, Ning Xuan's voice sounded outside. "Brother Wei, it's time to set off."

When he opened the door and stepped out, he saw Ning Xuan and the other three holding the reins of five horses outside, all of them looking excited.

All five were white horses, their bodies sleekly lined and their bearing proud, their eyes bright and spirited. One look showed they were fine steeds, and one was clearly prepared for him.

But Wei Fan's attention was not on the horses. It was on Hu Qing, who had joined them.

She too had removed her yamen uniform and changed into fitted clothes, looking valiant and heroic.

If not for that familiar face, Wei Fan would almost have failed to recognize her. This was the first time he had seen Hu Qing without yamen attire.

"Constable Wei, we've come to see you off!"

Wei Fan went over and took his horse's reins from Ning Xuan. Just as the group was about to leave, a resounding shout came from the other end of the street.

Wei Fan turned to look and saw a vast crowd surging toward them.

There were his fellow yamen runners, the bun shop owner and his wife, the waiter and proprietor from the restaurant he often visited, Zhang Caiwei's cousin, his brother-in-law and sister, and many passersby he often saw while patrolling the streets...

The mighty crowd grew larger and larger until it filled the entire street.

The scene was somewhat overwhelming, making Ning Xuan, Hu Qing, and the others' hearts tremble.

Though the crowd did not say much, their passion and reluctance burned like a raging wildfire, spreading to everyone.

"Everyone, please go back!"

Wei Fan waved his hand, his heart stirring with emotion as well.

No one went back. Everyone continued following behind Wei Fan. By the time they reached the exit of Cloud City, people who had rushed over after hearing the news filled the streets in every direction.

"Safe journey, Constable Wei!"

"May you rise step by step!"

"Cloud City will forever remember your merits!"

Once the group passed through the city gates, earth-shaking shouts began to rise from behind them.

"Let's go!"

After taking one final look at Cloud City, Wei Fan swung himself onto his horse and spurred it into a gallop.

Ning Xuan rode closer to Su Xuerong. "It feels as though taking him away from Cloud City was an evil thing to do!"

Su Xuerong nodded gently. "But the world outside is more suited to him. There are more people throughout the realm who need his protection, not just those in Cloud City."

The Reception Envoy also rode up. "I've served as a Reception Envoy all my life and have no idea how many people I've brought into the Demon Suppressing Division, but this is the first time I've seen such a spectacular sight as an entire city seeing someone off. It truly is unforgettable for a lifetime."

Only after galloping wildly for more than ten li did Wei Fan's emotions settle. He turned back and called to Ning Xuan and the others, "What are you dawdling for? Ride faster!"

Hu Qing broke into a smile. "We let you ride ahead first. Since you didn't pick out a horse, yours isn't as good as ours. Don't believe me? Let's race. I guarantee you won't even see our backs. Hyah..."

With a flick of her whip, she quickly caught up to Wei Fan and passed him.

Ning Xuan and the other two soon rode alongside him as well.

Wei Fan's face darkened somewhat. His horse really was not as fast as theirs.

"The roads are not peaceful. Xuerong, catch up to Hu Qing and keep an eye on her. Don't let her get too far away."

Seeing Hu Qing ride farther and farther ahead, the Reception Envoy had Su Xuerong go after her.

"With Hu Qing's cultivation, how is she qualified to enter the Demon Suppressing Division?"

Wei Fan voiced the doubt in his heart.

He had always thought Hu Qing would be unable to enter the Demon Suppressing Division for the time being.

He had wanted to ask earlier, but the people who came to see him off had stirred up his emotions, and he had temporarily forgotten.