He Mingkong's Visit

Lu Chuan stared at the fruit on the second branch, lost in thought. He was certain that when he had returned from the Wilderness before, there had been no fruit on that second branch.

Yet now, it had grown as large as a fist.

It was only entirely green, still a long way from ripening.

"Could killing people work too?"

Lu Chuan looked thoroughly baffled as he muttered, "Impossible. It probably isn't killing people. It has something to do with Liu Bao. That guy probably didn't count as human, and he wasn't a Fierce Beast either.

Chen Qingfeng said he was a Demonic Martial Artist.

Could he be connected to the Demon Ghosts from the rumors?"

In this world, the Human Race had two great enemies. Besides Fierce Beasts, there were also Demon Ghosts.

However, Demon Ghosts were different from Fierce Beasts. They were exceedingly rare.

But they were also far more bizarre, appearing and vanishing like specters.

It was said that some Demon Ghosts even lived among the Human Race, mingling with humans. Before they were exposed, they were no different from ordinary people.

Unless one possessed a particular method, ordinary people could not spot the slightest clue.

Of course, all of this was merely rumor, hearsay passed from ear to ear.

Lu Chuan did not know what the truth actually was.

He had never seen a real Demon Ghost, so there was nothing he could say about them.

But Liu Bao's many displays today were deeply connected to Demon Ghosts, setting Lu Chuan's imagination racing.

Lu Chuan strongly suspected that the fruit on the second branch had formed because he had slain Liu Bao. In other words, killing one Liu Bao was worth more than slaughtering a hundred Fierce Beasts.

That was fucking absurd.

"No matter what, this is a good thing for me."

Lu Chuan muttered, "Now that the fruit has formed, based on last time's experience, making it ripen should be much easier.

It looks like it won't be long before I gain another Entry.

I just wonder what effect it will have.

Don't give me another System Panel!"

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind as his consciousness withdrew from the Sea of Consciousness.

After quickly clearing up the ornament that had shattered into scraps, Lu Chuan felt utterly refreshed.

His injuries had fully healed, and his strength had gone a step further.

It was truly a blessing in disguise.

However, the medicinal effects of the White Jade Dragon Rock Fruit lingering in his body had also been completely consumed.

Lu Chuan was not surprised by this. His injuries had not been light before, and there was no way that one vial of Healing Potion could have healed him completely.

In fact, Lu Chuan's original plan had been to use that vial of Healing Potion as a catalyst.

Then, he would trigger the remaining medicinal effects of the White Jade Dragon Rock Fruit in his body to repair his damaged physique.

Now, it seemed his plan had worked quite well.

"I'll move into the Inner City tomorrow," Lu Chuan thought to himself.

"Hmm..."

Suddenly, Lu Chuan's expression tightened, and every hair on his body stood on end in an instant. With a fierce burst of speed, he shot out of his room and arrived in the living room.

He looked toward the front door.

Someone was outside.

An immensely powerful aura made his heart pound and sent chills through his entire body.

A powerful expert had come, someone far stronger than him. At the very least, Peak Eighth Rank—perhaps even stronger.

Knock, knock, knock...

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Immediately afterward, a somewhat weathered yet vigorous voice came from outside. "Lu Chuan, this old man is He Mingkong, Hall Master of Kunlun Martial Arts School. Might you open the door so we may talk..."

The Hall Master of Kunlun Martial Arts School, He Mingkong!

Lu Chuan's pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints. He was secretly shocked, unable to understand why such a great figure had come to see him.

Could it be because of the contract?

Many thoughts flashed through Lu Chuan's mind, but he relaxed slightly.

He had heard Chen Qingfeng mention He Mingkong, and Chen Qingfeng held him in high regard. If the man outside truly was him, he should not harbor any ill intentions.

Besides!

Lu Chuan truly had not sensed any hostility from him, so there should not be a problem.

Lu Chuan took a deep breath and calmed his mind before stepping forward to open the door.

A White-haired Elder stood outside.

The visitor was indeed He Mingkong.

After leaving Liu Bao's Villa Manor, he had followed the direction in which Lu Chuan had departed.

However, he had been delayed again by certain matters along the way, which was why he had only found Lu Chuan now.

"What, won't you invite this old man in for a seat?"

He Mingkong smiled faintly at Lu Chuan.

"Senior, please..."

Only then did Lu Chuan come back to himself. Without hesitation, he invited He Mingkong into the room.

Although he had never met He Mingkong, his intuition told him that the old man before him was indeed He Mingkong.

This was a Martial Artist's intuition. The deeper one's cultivation, the more mysterious that intuition became.

"May I ask what brings you here today, Senior?"

After pouring He Mingkong a glass of water, Lu Chuan did not waste words and asked directly.

One does not visit the temple without a reason!

He Mingkong was one of the most influential figures in all of Fengle City. Lu Chuan did not believe that such a great figure had come simply to reminisce with him.

There had to be a reason for today's visit.

Lu Chuan guessed that it was most likely related to his contract with Kunlun Martial Arts School.

But was he truly worth He Mingkong coming in person?

Lu Chuan was not certain.

"Two matters!"

He Mingkong smiled faintly. "The first concerns your contract with Kunlun Martial Arts School.

Ning Yang should have mentioned it to you before.

Today, I have come personally to promise you this: if you sign with Kunlun Martial Arts School, then on top of the contract terms Ning Yang offered you, I can add another condition.

Besides a High-grade Skin Refining Method, I can also give you an additional High-grade Martial Skill..."

"A High-grade Martial Skill!"

Lu Chuan's gaze sharpened, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints in an instant.

A Skin Refining Method was merely a training method, a Cultivation Method.

A Martial Skill, on the other hand, was a fighting method. If a Martial Artist cultivated a Cultivation Method but not Martial Skills, then among those of the same realm, he would certainly be inferior to someone who had cultivated Martial Skills.

Compared to Cultivation Methods, Martial Skills were actually easier to obtain.

But that was limited to low-grade ones.

As for High-grade Martial Skills, they were just as rare as High-grade Skin Refining Methods.

In fact, Lu Chuan had yet to cultivate a genuine Martial Skill. The Five Elements Stance Training from before could only be considered a foundational method.

It combined training methods and fighting methods.

However, Five Elements Stance Training was merely a basic Stake Technique used by Great Xia to spread Martial Dao cultivation.

It could not even be considered a ranked Cultivation Method or Martial Skill.

The same was true for Basic Archery. They were both merely foundational methods, and their power was ultimately limited.

Even though Lu Chuan had cultivated them to Limit Breaking, they could never compare to a High-grade Skin Refining Method or a High-grade Martial Skill.

Lu Chuan had not expected He Mingkong to value him so highly.

He was willing to offer such a high price.

This made Lu Chuan even more tempted.

But temptation was temptation. Lu Chuan did not agree at once. Instead, he narrowed his eyes at He Mingkong and asked in a low voice, "Senior, what is the second matter?"