Outside the martial arts school, a physician crouched on the ground, trembling as he carefully examined Big Tiger's injuries.
Physicians usually treated people. This was his first time treating a tiger, so he seemed exceedingly unpracticed.
"Physician, how is Big Tiger?"
Jiang Hao asked.
Seeing that it was Jiang Hao, the physician could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. "Young Master Jiang, your tiger pet has only suffered some superficial injuries. I have stopped the bleeding, so there should be nothing seriously wrong."
"Good. Sorry for the trouble, Physician."
Jiang Hao took out the consultation fee, and the physician left happily.
Big Tiger stretched out his tongue and licked Jiang Hao's little hand. Jiang Hao gently patted Big Tiger's head and reassured him, "Don't worry. You're fine. A few days of rest will do."
After returning to Jiang Manor, Jiang Hao immediately took out the Flying Snow Force manual.
Jiang Hao had already mastered two peak Ming Jin techniques, Raging Tide Force and Startling Thunder Force. Though they were completely different from Flying Snow Force, he was already very familiar with Force Training techniques.
At a glance, he could tell that this Flying Snow Force was extraordinarily powerful, and likely not easy to cultivate.
Still, three months should be no problem.
Jiang Hao recalled what had happened today.
Especially his encounter with the Huangtian Sect Outer Gate disciple.
He had even made a move and defeated Liu Quan in a single strike.
This counted as Jiang Hao's first time fighting someone for real, rather than sparring with them.
Yet Jiang Hao had a feeling.
It had been too easy.
Yes, facing Liu Quan had been far too easy for him.
Both of them were Ming Jin Martial Artists.
Moreover, Liu Quan had entered the Huangtian Sect Outer Gate and become an Outer Gate disciple, so he should not have been weak.
Yet this was it?
Forget one Liu Quan. Even ten Liu Quans would not have seemed like a threat to Jiang Hao.
This was not because Jiang Hao was arrogant.
Rather, without realizing it, his strength had already surpassed that of martial artists at the same level by far.
"Even though my strength has long surpassed that of martial artists at the same level, and perhaps few Ming Jin Martial Artists in the Huangtian Sect Outer Gate are a match for me, Master still thinks I do not have much confidence in clearing the Desolate Heaven Tower."
"The Desolate Heaven Tower's difficulty must truly be immense. Still, it will not do to place all my hopes on Master trading for three peak Ming Jin techniques. If my Fierce Tiger Fist can reach Major Accomplishment, my confidence in clearing the Desolate Heaven Tower will grow even greater."
Jiang Hao revised his martial arts training plan.
He needed to cultivate Flying Snow Force, but he also needed to devote himself to Fierce Tiger Fist.
During this trip to Flying Eagle Mountain to observe Big Tiger hunting, Jiang Hao had indeed gained some insights.
If he did this a few more times, perhaps he would find the right opportunity and bring Fierce Tiger Fist to Major Accomplishment.
Today, a mysterious person arrived at White Crane Martial Arts School, one of Cang City's seven great martial arts schools.
The school master, He Tiangang, personally received him.
"Zhao Heita, what wind blew you here?"
He Tiangang asked.
He understood Zhao Heita.
The other man never visited without reason. Since he had come this time, he must have business.
Zhao Heita was very familiar with He Tiangang, so he sat down without ceremony and asked calmly, "Old White Crane, your disciple Du Futian has already reached Hidden Force. Have you still not obtained a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot?"
At the mention of Du Futian, Old White Crane's expression darkened.
This was the pain in his heart.
Before Jiang Hao, Du Futian had been Cang City's number one genius.
He Tiangang had placed great hopes on Du Futian and had wanted to send him to the Huangtian Sect while he was still at Ming Jin.
Yet he had failed to obtain a recommendation slot, delaying matters until now.
Back then, He Tiangang had even sought out Zhao Heita, hoping to obtain the Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot in Zhao Heita's hands, only to be refused.
"Zhao Heita, did you come specially to mock this old man?"
He Tiangang asked with a cold laugh.
"Old White Crane, do not mistake good intentions for ill will. I came specially to give you a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot this time. Do you want it?"
"What? A Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot? Zhao Heita, you are willing to give this old man the recommendation slot in your possession?"
He Tiangang immediately became excited.
"My recommendation slot naturally cannot be given to you."
"Zhao Heita, if you will not give this old man your recommendation slot, have you come merely to tease this old man?"
"My recommendation slot cannot be given to you, but I have a Qingyang Xia Family Token. This token is equivalent to a Huangtian Sect Outer Gate recommendation slot. Do you want it?"
With a flip of his hand, Zhao Heita produced a token.
"A Qingyang Xia Family Token?"
He Tiangang was naturally knowledgeable. He examined the token carefully, and his heart grew hot.
It was real!
A Qingyang Xia Family Token was equivalent to a Huangtian Sect Outer Gate recommendation slot.
Du Futian had hope of entering the Huangtian Sect!
"Zhao Heita, tell me. What do you want?"
He Tiangang gradually calmed down.
Zhao Heita could not possibly give him the token for no reason.
"Heh heh, Old White Crane, at least you are clear-headed. There is no free lunch under heaven, but what I want this time is very little. I am only giving you this chance because of our decades of friendship."
"Say it. What are your conditions?"
"I only want three peak Ming Jin techniques!"
Old White Crane frowned.
Three peak Ming Jin techniques?
It might only be three techniques, but the major martial arts schools of Cang City kept peak Ming Jin techniques hidden away.
There was simply no way they would hand them over.
"I only have two..."
"Old White Crane, do not say I have not looked after you. I will give you ten days to gather three peak Ming Jin techniques. Otherwise, I will visit other martial arts schools, or even the City Lord's Mansion. I believe one of them will be able to produce three peak Ming Jin techniques."
Hearing that Zhao Heita intended to visit other martial arts schools, He Tiangang immediately grew anxious.
"Don't, do not go to the other martial arts schools. Brother Zhao, ten days, right? Rest assured, I will gather three peak Ming Jin techniques for you within ten days!"
Gritting his teeth, He Tiangang spoke.
"Fine. Then I will wait ten days. But Old White Crane, let me make this clear first: there cannot be any trouble with the three peak Ming Jin techniques. You understand what I mean, yes?"
"I understand. Rest assured, the techniques will all be clean. They will not bring you any trouble."
Zhao Heita nodded.
He did not remain at White Crane Martial Arts School for long and quickly departed.
Watching Zhao Heita's receding figure disappear, He Tiangang could not conceal his excitement.
"A Qingyang Xia Family Token... where did Zhao Heita get it?"
"Forget it. No matter where Zhao Heita got the token, it truly is a Huangtian Sect Outer Gate recommendation slot. With this token, Futian can enter the Huangtian Sect. I must seize this opportunity!"
"But I am still short one peak Ming Jin technique, and it must be clean... Forget it. No matter how much blood I must bleed, I have to gather three peak Ming Jin techniques!"
He Tiangang knew Du Futian's talent well. He was certainly comparable to the Huangtian Sect's geniuses.
Once Du Futian entered the Huangtian Sect, he would surely soar into the skies in one bound!
This opportunity absolutely could not be missed.
A few days later, He Tiangang paid a visit to Black Tower Martial Arts School.
When he emerged, He Tiangang wore a smile and seemed quite pleased.
A few more days passed, and shocking news spread through Cang City.
White Crane Martial Arts School had obtained a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot. School Master He Tiangang used it on his disciple Du Futian, personally escorting Du Futian to the Huangtian Sect. Du Futian successfully entered the Huangtian Sect and became an Outer Gate disciple.
This news exploded across Cang City.
The martial arts school circle in particular was asking around about how White Crane Martial Arts School had obtained a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot.
He Tiangang kept his mouth tightly shut and revealed no information.
However, Jiang Hao and Wen Xiang vaguely had their own guesses.
After all, both of them knew about the Xia Family Token.
For White Crane Martial Arts School to obtain a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot at this time was far too much of a coincidence.
One day, Zhao Heita summoned Jiang Hao.
"Jiang Hao, the Xia Family Token was exchanged for three peak Ming Jin techniques: White Crane Force, Panshi Force, and Juling Force."
Zhao Heita directly took out the manuals for the three techniques.
"White Crane Force?"
Jiang Hao's heart stirred.
He knew that White Crane Martial Arts School possessed a peak Ming Jin technique called White Crane Force.
Connecting this with White Crane Martial Arts School obtaining a Huangtian Sect Recommendation Slot, Jiang Hao had already more or less guessed what had happened.
"Master, did you exchange techniques with White Crane Martial Arts School?"
Jiang Hao asked.
"That is right. These three techniques came from White Crane Martial Arts School."
"Your master has known He Tiangang for decades. He Tiangang also helped your master quite a bit in the past. Since I had to exchange with someone anyway, I gave this opportunity to He Tiangang."
Though it had been an exchange, both He Tiangang and Zhao Heita understood that Zhao Heita had been looking after He Tiangang.
Otherwise, Zhao Heita could have obtained far greater benefits.
"Jiang Hao, your master has another presumptuous request."
"Master, please simply instruct your disciple if there is anything."
Zhao Heita took a deep breath and slowly said, "For certain reasons, your master desperately hopes that you can enter the Huangtian Sect Inner Gate."
"Some of your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters are actually fairly talented. If the recommendation slot had been used, they could have entered the Huangtian Sect as Outer Gate disciples. If they worked hard, they might even have become Inner Gate disciples. Yet your master did not give them the recommendation slot. Instead, I kept it all this time and ultimately decided to give it to you."
"Although their talent did not meet your master's requirements, your master has ultimately wronged them in this matter."
"If you can become a Huangtian Sect True Disciple in the future, you will have attendant slots. Your master hopes that you can, as you see fit, give some of your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters an attendant slot then. A True Disciple's attendant slot receives better treatment than an Outer Gate disciple!"
Jiang Hao did not immediately agree.
First, he did not understand what attendant slots were. Second, he was not actually familiar with many of his Senior Brothers.
He was only close with Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang.
Seemingly noticing Jiang Hao's concerns, Zhao Heita smiled and said, "Do not worry. Your master merely owes them something, so I want to leave them a path. But the attendant slots are yours and closely tied to you. You must decide for yourself whom to give them to."
"Your master will not mention this to your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. Interact normally, and when the time comes, simply give the attendant slots to Senior Brothers or Senior Sisters you know well."
"As for those who are not close to you, or even envy you, they are fools. Your master will not interfere."
Jiang Hao understood.
It seemed Master was clear about it too and would not force Jiang Hao to "look after" every Senior Brother and Senior Sister.
As long as he looked after Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters he knew well and had good relationships with, there would be no problem.
For instance, Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang was quite nice.
If there was an opportunity, Jiang Hao would naturally bring Wen Xiang into the Huangtian Sect.
"Master, this disciple understands. Please rest assured, if this disciple has such an opportunity, I will give priority to my Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."
"Then your master is relieved. Go. Do not rush Force Training; it must proceed step by step. If you are truly incompatible with a technique, never force it."
"Yes, Master."
Jiang Hao returned to the Meditation Room.
He needed to formulate his next cultivation plan.
With his current Bone Quality, mastering these peak Ming Jin techniques would certainly not be a problem.
But bringing Fierce Tiger Fist to Major Accomplishment or Perfection would be extremely difficult.
His Comprehension was insufficient.
Thus, for the coming period, he would devote himself fully to Force Training and to Visualizing the Blood Moon to increase his Comprehension!
Jiang Hao estimated that one or two years would definitely be enough.
"Then I'll set myself a small goal."
"Before I turn ten, I'll go to the Huangtian Sect and rise directly into the Inner Gate!"
Jiang Hao was extremely confident.
As long as he worked a little harder, there should not be much problem in achieving this goal.
P.S. This book has been renamed I Created the Era of Heroes.
Before you continue