People from the Wang Family Arrive

"Don't worry, I had it checked. The pharmacist said it's nothing serious, just needs plenty of rest."

Zhao Xiuyun patted Zhao Ping'an on the arm, speaking with a reassuring smile.

"That's good to hear."

"Let me see what's inside these!"

Mu Yunmeng strode forward boldly, approaching the eight large chests. As she reached for the nearest one, she spoke up.

"Whoa!!!"

As the chest opened, a full box of gleaming silver met her eyes, drawing an involuntary gasp of surprise.

"So much silver—I've never seen this much before! Junior Brother, this is what you called 'not very useful'?"

Mu Yunmeng exclaimed in amazement, casting a playful, reproachful glance at Zhao Ping'an, looking utterly speechless.

Then she opened all eight large chests.

Among them were three chests of silver, one of gold, two of technique manuals (martial arts, secret arts), one of miscellaneous items (land deeds, pills, jewelry, etc.), and the last chest held fine weapons.

[PS: Weapons and pills (spiritual medicines) are similar, divided into First-grade through Ninth-grade, and above Ninth-grade are Saint Weapons and Divine Weapons. First-grade corresponds to Martial Warrior, Second-grade to Houtian Martial Artist... and so on.

Weapons of the same grade are further subdivided into Lower, Middle, Upper, and Supreme grades, and the same applies to pills and spiritual medicines.

As for the spiritual medicines Zhao Ping'an absorbed earlier, perhaps because his cultivation was too high, whether they were Upper or Lower grade, the [Deduction Points] they provided him were all the same—no real difference.]

The last chest contained all Third-grade weapons, thirteen in total: seven Lower-grade, four Middle-grade, and two Upper-grade.

As for the numerous First and Second-grade weapons, Zhao Ping'an had sold them to the City Lord's Mansion at thirty percent below market price.

Everyone was drawn to the contents of the chests, constantly touching here and flipping there, their faces full of wonder.

"If there's anything you like, each of you can pick a few pieces. Leave the rest for Master to handle."

"Really? Then I won't hold back!"

"Many thanks, Junior Brother!"

Except for Fourth Senior Disciple Brother Liu Zhe, who stood to the side at a loss, the other three immediately began selecting.

"Fourth Senior Brother, leave the Blazing Blade Sect and come back. Song Lieyang might treat you decently out of respect for me and Master, but that's all it'll ever be. Here, I have techniques, weapons, money, and spiritual medicines—a hundred times more than you'd ever get at the Blazing Blade Sect. Why torment yourself?"

Seeing his conflicted Fourth Senior Brother Liu Zhe, Zhao Ping'an stepped forward to persuade him.

"I'll think about it..."

Watching his wavering Fourth Senior Brother, Zhao Ping'an patted his shoulder and said no more.

As Master Zheng Hetong's health improved day by day, Fourth Senior Brother Liu Zhe also returned to the Alchemy Workshop, and South Ridge City settled back into calm.

Yet beneath the surface, things were far from peaceful. All factions were doing their utmost to carve up the Poison Wolf Gang's former gray-market dealings, though on the surface, they remained cordial.

Zhao Ping'an knew nothing of this, and even if he did, he would at most shrug it off with a smile.

Having lived two lives, he understood one truth: the bigger the fist, the greater the authority; the harder the fist, the stronger the reason. And he intended to make his own fist both big and hard.

After staying in South Ridge City for three days, Zhao Ping'an returned to Wu'an City and plunged back into endless cultivation.

Body refinement, True Essence, saber techniques, Lightness Skill, eye arts, palm techniques, hidden weapons, and methods to conceal his aura—he trained in all of them without exception.

A month later, he had successively advanced Purple Light Ghostly Eyes to the Mysterious Tier martial art Purple Shadow Demonic Eyes;

advanced Five Thunders Sky Severing Palm to the Mysterious Tier martial art Mad Thunder Dragon Transformation Palm;

and advanced Phantom Flying Dagger to the Mysterious Tier martial art Sky Breaking One Saber.

His Mysterious Tier martial art Nine Forms of Hegemonic Saber had also been trained to the Perfection stage.

Unfortunately, Zhao Ping'an's Body Cultivation was still a bit short of reaching the legendary Martial King Realm, and his True Essence was even further behind.

Without a technique as a foundation, he could not yet deduce and advance his Mysterious Tier martial arts.

His Game Panel had also undergone a major transformation:

[Name: Zhao Ping'an]

[Realm: Martial Venerable Second Layer]

[Body Cultivation: Martial Venerable Ninth Layer]

Techniques:

[Jade Armor Art (Profound Grade Art): 689/1500 (Ninth Layer, Simplified) Continuously ram your body against an iron pillar 500 times to increase Training Progress by 1 point.]

[Four Symbols Gathering Essence Art (Profound Grade Art): 563/1500 (Second Layer, Simplified) Continuously absorb Heavenly Qi for 30 minutes to increase Training Progress by 1 point.]

Martial Arts:

[Nine Forms of Hegemonic Saber (Mysterious Tier Martial Art): 1500/1500 (Perfection, Simplified) Continuously swing a steel saber weighing over 20 kilograms 500 times to increase Training Progress by 1 point. Conditions insufficient, cannot deduce!]

[Flying Dragon Crossing (Mysterious Tier Martial Art): 689/1500 (Great Success, Simplified) Continuously run 5 kilometers to increase Training Progress by 1 point.]

[Purple Shadow Demonic Eyes (Mysterious Tier Martial Art): 896/1500 (Proficient, Simplified) Stare fixedly with both eyes at the square hole in the center of a copper coin 30 meters away for 5 minutes to increase Training Progress by 1 point.]

[Mad Thunder Dragon Transformation Palm (Mysterious Tier Martial Art): 879/1500 (Mastered, Simplified) Continuously strike an iron pillar with both palms 500 times to increase Training Progress by 1 point.]

[Sky Breaking One Saber (Mysterious Tier Martial Art): 231/1500 (Mastered, Simplified) Hit a target 1 meter in diameter from 30 meters away with a pebble 500 times to increase Training Progress by 1 point.]

[Breath Concealing Art (Yellow-grade Martial Art): 467/1000 (Grandmaster, Simplified) Holding breath for one minute increases Training Progress by 1 point]

[Deduction Points: 14%]

(Method of acquiring Deduction Points: omitted)

The greatest improvement on the panel was undoubtedly the breath-concealing technique, which had leaped directly from a First-rate Martial Art past Human-grade Martial Art to reach the Grandmaster level of Yellow-grade Martial Art—truly swift progress.

This was also thanks to its simple training method, as it could be practiced alongside any other cultivation technique or martial art by simply holding one's breath.

"Almost there! Almost there! Martial King? Flying?"

While enjoying a hearty lunch, Zhao Ping'an glanced at the drastically changed attributes on his panel and muttered to himself with anticipation. He then closed the game panel and buried himself in his meal once more.

To satisfy his appetite, he had specially hired four top-tier chefs from the finest restaurant in South Ridge City to prepare his three daily meals.

So, despite the large portions, the food was still a feast for the eyes and the palate.

After eating and drinking his fill, Zhao Ping'an contentedly leaped onto the rooftop balcony, lying down to bask in the sun and digest his meal.

This was his most relaxing time of the day.

As the saying goes, if you don't nap at noon, you'll collapse by afternoon!

"Report! Sir, someone outside claims to be from the Wang Family and seeks an audience with you!"

Just as Zhao Ping'an was dozing with his eyes closed, a sudden shout shattered his pleasant reverie.

Frowning, he looked toward the open ground in front of the pavilion and muttered softly, "The Wang Family? What do they want with me?"