Nine Yang Art

Good thing this was inside the market—if they'd been outside, there wouldn't have been any idle talk; the other party would have just made a move directly.

It seemed the root of everything was that his strength was too poor.

But right now, his cultivation realm was far too low—Qi Refining Layer Four. Advancing was just too slow.

Yet he didn't stop to think: when he'd left Green Bamboo Peak, he'd only been at Qi Refining Layer One. Now, in just a little over two years, he'd reached Qi Refining Layer Four.

In other words, in those short two years, he'd directly broken through three minor realms.

He'd once been stuck at Qi Refining Layer One for over a decade. If he hadn't been able to obtain Entries, forget about advancing—he probably wouldn't even have made it to Bayberry Market; he'd have been intercepted and killed halfway there.

Of course, if he didn't teach someone so arrogant a lesson, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

Right now, although his cultivation realm was inferior to the other's—this 'good little brother' of his was currently at Qi Refining Layer Six—

A youth around eighteen years old reaching that level was enough to make him proud. He was about to step into Late Qi Refining, which was indeed something to boast about.

But as long as the other party wasn't Late Qi Refining, he wasn't afraid. After all, he had Entries in hand and plenty of attack methods.

So he started taking stock. Right now, he still had several Entries in his mind:

One "Fire Control Art" Entry.

One "Sky Thunder Seed x3" Entry.

Three "Concealment 2 Hours" Entries.

Three "Fire Attribute Magic Power Amplification 2x" Entries.

Four "Strand of Spiritual Qi" Entries.

Four "Great Accomplishment Spirit Rain Technique" Entries.

The key was that he could combine these Entries together and use them—the power would definitely be solid.

With three "Concealment 2 Hours" Entries plus one "Sky Thunder Seed x3" Entry, that was a perfect ambush method—he could probably take out the target without anyone noticing.

If that didn't work, then three "Fire Attribute Magic Power Amplification 2x" Entries combined with a Fireball Spell attack—that kind of power would probably make even a Qi Refining Layer Eight cultivator back off.

He also had Thorn Spell and Earth Shield Spell for support and defense, enough to keep him alive.

And of course, there was the ultimate move: directly self-destructing a High-grade Magic Tool. That would definitely take the other's life. Besides, now that he was cultivating the Minor Five Elements Art, the spiritual power in his Dantian was enough to rival a Qi Refining Layer Five cultivator.

As long as he acted quickly, he could retreat unscathed!

After all, ever since he'd obtained the "High-grade Magic Tool x6" Entry and exchanged for them, he'd originally planned to distribute them to his younger sisters-in-law.

He was just afraid they'd show them off and cause trouble, so they were still lying in his Storage Ring.

Because if a Qi Refining cultivator who hadn't even reached the middle stage suddenly had a High-grade Magic Tool in hand—how would other high-level cultivators see that?

Along the way, no one spoke. The most notable thing was that Lu Wanyuan remained silent the entire time.

He was busy calculating how to 'entertain' this 'good little brother.' After all, since the other had come all the way from so far to visit Bayberry Market, as the host, he'd feel bad if he didn't offer some hospitality.

On the other side, Xiao Wanchang held his hands crossed in front of his chest, one hand cupping his chin, his eyes darting around as if lost in thought.

At the same time, he kept glancing at the distant figure of Lu Wanyuan leading the group away.

The woman beside him, dressed in a yellow dress with a lovely face, saw this and quickly asked, "Eldest Brother, how about we follow them now and see how they live in Bayberry Market?"

This woman was named Xiao Wanhong, sixteen years old, at Qi Refining Layer Four, also a Three Spirit Root cultivator. She was Xiao Wanchang's biological sister and his favorite.

"Wanhong, our purpose this time is the auction. The Ice Grass is a spiritual herb I must obtain. Don't stir up trouble and cause incidents. We're outside now, not at Green Bamboo Peak!"

"This Ice Grass is tied to my cultivation technique—it can't be taken lightly. As for that 'good eldest brother' of ours, looking at his pathetic state, finding trouble with him is as easy as squeezing dough. Squeeze however you want—I'll let you have your fill then!"

Xiao Wanchang glanced at Xiao Wanhong and gave a cold reassurance.

Before they knew it, Lu Wanyuan's group had returned to 9572 Chunfeng Road. Up ahead, the imposing Lu Mansion came into view.

This Lu Mansion, over the past two years, had undergone multiple repairs. The entire front facade had been restored, bringing back its original appearance.

"Husband, what were you thinking about the whole way? No one dared to speak, and even Lei'er fell asleep."

Baili Qiuyue tugged at his arm and asked.

"Ah, we're home already? That fast!"

Lu Wanyuan rubbed his hair, looking surprised.

"I was thinking about things just now. Didn't realize we'd be back so soon!"

"Since we're back, Wife, you and Third Brother should arrange for these people. They all look like they're starving!"

"They seem like they're about to collapse. They'll probably need a good rest to recover."

Lu Wanyuan glanced at the group behind him and said.

"Yeah, they're all skin and bones. I'm really worried they might just drop dead at any moment!"

Baili Qiuyue chimed in.

Lu Wanyuan nodded, then walked over to the slave he'd bought for 150 Spirit Stones.

"Mm, hello. I'm Lu Wanyuan. What's your name?"

"My name is Jiang Yun!" Jiang Yun stared at the employer before him, uncertain of his intentions.

"I had no choice but to use that method to bring you here from the Tooth Agency."

"I see you are a man of character, and I also know your ambitions are lofty—you certainly wouldn't stoop to serving in my humble abode."

"Therefore, I can give you a chance, and return your freedom!"

Hearing this, a glint of sharp light flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes. He hadn't expected that, after resigning himself to a lifetime of servitude, the situation would suddenly take a turn.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Jiang Yun's face trembled with excitement, his eyes moistening. After being tormented by the Tooth Agency for so long, he had finally met a good person today!

"Of course it's true, but you also know—that was 150 Spirit Stones. It means I could have bought many servants. So I don't want to take a loss. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

Lu Changyuan stared at him coldly.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, just say it directly. As long as you give me freedom, I'll give you whatever you want!"

"Mm, Fellow Daoist Jiang, I actually think highly of you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have spent 150 to buy you back from the Tooth Agency."

"Now I'll give you two choices. One: serve me for fifty years, and I'll grant you freedom. The other: copy your Cultivation Technique for me, without holding anything back, and I'll set you free immediately."

"Which one do you choose?"

Back at the Tooth Agency, when he heard the introduction, this Jiang Yun was only a Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator, yet his strength rivaled that of a Qi Refining Layer 9 cultivator.

From this, it was clear that the Cultivation Technique he practiced was exceptionally powerful.

Thus, the idea of obtaining that technique had taken root.

Of course, seeing the man's bearing, he knew this was a good plan.

This Jiang Yun was certainly no fool—he wouldn't trade a technique for a lifetime of servitude, losing his freedom forever.

The choice was obvious.

After listening, Jiang Yun sank into thought. Soon, he made his decision.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, I choose the second option. I hope you'll keep your word. Bring out the brush and ink, and I'll copy the technique for you!"

"Ha, then I'll trouble you!"

With that, Lu Wanyuan immediately took out brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone from his pocket, along with a small stool and table, setting them to the side.

Jiang Yun took the materials, sat down on the stool, spread the paper on the table, and began silently writing out the technique.

Baili Qiuyue and Lu Wanhe, watching this scene, finally understood why Lu Wanyuan had ignored their objections and bought this man at a high price.

Lu Wanyuan paid no further attention to Jiang Yun. Instead, he walked over to the others and spoke loudly.

When these people heard Lu Wanyuan's words, they felt his magnanimity, and excitement surged within them—they saw hope for freedom.

"The same goes for you. As long as you can offer a price, I will grant you freedom too!"

"Of course, right now you're barely clinging to life. Even if I let you go, you'd likely be captured again. You don't even have the strength to survive."

"I suggest you rest here for now."

"Once you've recovered, or your injuries have healed, if you find staying in the Lu residence uncomfortable, you can offer me a price, and I'll set you free."

The crowd lowered their heads, knowing he spoke the truth.

"Third Brother, take them back, arrange their lodgings, and make sure they eat their fill. Then have them wash up as soon as possible."

"Fellow Daoist Lu, I've finished writing it out. Please verify it."

Jiang Yun stood up and handed over several sheets of paper filled with densely packed characters—at least tens of thousands of words.

Fortunately, he was a cultivator; otherwise, remembering so many characters would have been impossible.

Lu Wanyuan took the papers and began to study them carefully.

At the top of the first sheet, several large characters read: 'Nine Yang Art'!