Qi Yuan Grass

Yi Jin Jing: Level 1 (730) - Saint-grade passive skill. Although not a God-grade cultivation method, this technique is quite special. It contains another cultivation method created by Old Ancestor Bodhidharma, the Marrow Cleansing Scripture, thus possessing the powerful ability to strengthen tendons and cleanse marrow. Its current level is 1, allowing the player's Inner Qi to increase to three times its original value. (Level 1 Yi Jin Jing can restore 1 point of Inner Qi per minute.)

Although proficiency has reached 73 points, it's not far from the 100 points required for the next level.

However, according to Qin Shaofeng's estimation, it would take at least three to five days for the Yi Jin Jing to level up.

Qin Shaofeng was a bit baffled by the increase in Yi Jin Jing proficiency. The only thing he could be sure of was that once his Inner Qi was completely depleted, the Yi Jin Jing's proficiency would definitely increase by 1 point.

This was the most obvious situation Qin Shaofeng had discovered so far.

However, Qin Shaofeng didn't dwell on it too much. Compared to others, his Inner Qi was three times that of an ordinary person, which made him somewhat content.

After finishing the rabbit meat and having a hearty meal, Qin Shaofeng began to rest.

He needed to rest well for tomorrow.

Of course, Qin Shaofeng wouldn't let his guard down because of this. Danger lurked everywhere in the Black Horn Mountain Range, and true relaxation was impossible for him.

The night was as dark as ink. Logically, the jungle should be quieter at night, but that was not the case in the Black Horn Mountain Range.

The Black Horn Mountain Range was just as lively at night. Some Demonic Beasts roamed during the night; in fact, the Black Horn Mountain Range was arguably at its most dangerous at night.

Not far from Qin Shaofeng's cave, beneath a patch of bushes.

Thump! Thump!

Suddenly, two dark figures fell from a large tree, landing on the ground with two muffled thuds.

Upon landing, it was discovered that the two dark figures were actually two corpses!

"Are these the last two?"

From the previously quiet bushes, a cold voice suddenly emerged, followed by a black figure.

This figure was entirely clad in black and exuded no aura, as if it had completely merged with the night. If it hadn't revealed itself, it would have been difficult to spot.

With a swift movement, a figure descended from the large tree – a somewhat gaunt middle-aged man.

The gaunt man went directly before the black figure and knelt on one knee to report, "Reporting to Captain, all individuals in this area who intended harm to the young master have been eliminated. However, I discovered that these were not the only ones who came; there should be others."

"There are others?" the black figure asked softly, then inquired, "Do you know which faction they belong to? It shouldn't be the Zhang Family, right?"

"Yes!" the gaunt man replied. "These people are not from the Zhang Family. They should be from the Black Hand Gang!"

"The Black Hand Gang?"

The black figure, who had remained calm until now, finally showed a trace of unease in its voice.

After thinking for a moment, the black figure commanded, "Pass down my order: everyone be careful. Since it's the Black Hand Gang, then that person should also appear."

That person?

The gaunt man's heart suddenly jolted. He seemed to have suddenly recalled something, and his expression changed, but he eventually responded.

"This subordinate understands!"

With that, the gaunt man instantly departed, his figure disappearing into the vast night.

"I was careless!"

After a long while, the black figure suddenly sighed, "I should have predicted this earlier. Zhang Chongshan wouldn't dare to make a move against the young master, but the Black Hand Gang..."

The voice suddenly quieted, but after a moment, the black figure spoke again.

Although it was just a murmur, the tone was filled with unwavering resolve.

"Hmph, even if people from the Black Hand Gang come, my Dark Guard is not inferior. I, Qin An, will not fear the Black Hand Butcher!"

Qin An?

Dark Guard?

The person who appeared here was naturally from the Qin Family, and not just any ordinary member.

The Dark Guard was the strongest force under Old Master Qin's command, and Qin An himself was a master at the Xiantian Martial Master realm.

Old Master Qin had instructed Qin Shaofeng to venture out on his own for the Lianyang Academy's recruitment assessment, but this did not mean he wouldn't send people to secretly protect Qin Shaofeng.

Furthermore, Old Master Qin not only sent people to protect Qin Shaofeng but also dispatched his most trusted Dark Guard Captain, Qin An.

This showed how deeply concerned he was about Qin Shaofeng's safety.

But now, Qin An was in trouble.

The Black Hand Gang!

In the Lanjiang City area, it was a notorious organization whose members were all heinous criminals, engaging in murder, arson, rape, and robbery.

The Wu A'da and Wu A'er who were hired by Zhang Lingtian to deal with Qin Shaofeng earlier were indeed members of the Black Hand Gang.

Moreover, their identities were not simple; they were disciples of the Black Hand Gang leader, Wu Sancai.

Few people probably knew of Wu Sancai.

But mentioning another name of Wu Sancai would likely make him known to everyone in the Lanjiang City area.

Wu Sancai, the master of Wu A'da and Wu A'er, was known as the Black Hand Butcher. He practiced a cultivation technique called Black Poison Palm, and his hands had become like black, deadly poison. Not only had his cultivation reached the Xiantian Martial Master realm, but his pair of Black Poison Hands were also extremely vicious.

From his title as the Black Hand Butcher, one could tell what kind of person he was.

Just like his name, this Black Hand Butcher, Wu Sancai, was someone who killed without batting an eye. Those who had died by his hand since his debut were likely no less than ten thousand. He had always been a blight on the Lanjiang City area.

Previously, the City Lord of Lanjiang City, along with several nearby small cities, had joined forces to try and destroy the Black Hand Gang and kill Wu Sancai multiple times.

But every attempt failed.

Not only did they fail, but their losses were also extremely severe each time.

This made the name of Wu Sancai, the Black Hand Butcher, known and feared by more and more people.

Due to the recommendation quota, Zhang Chongshan dared not make a move against Qin Shaofeng.

However, after Wu A'da and Wu A'er went missing, Zhang Chongshan was convinced that Old Master Qin was behind it. Now, suddenly remembering the two's master, Wu Sancai, he decided to use a borrowed knife to kill.

He even spent a price that was enough to make Wu Sancai's heart flutter for this purpose.

Wu Sancai had no idea about the power of the Lianyang Academy recommendation quota. Faced with the death of his disciples and Zhang Chongshan's heavy bribe, he brought his subordinates from the Black Hand Gang to the Black Horn Mountain Range to assassinate Qin Shaofeng.

Although Old Master Qin was renowned, Wu Sancai knew he was no match for Old Master Qin himself.

But he had already decided that after this job, he would leave the area, take the heavy bribe from Zhang Chongshan, and start anew somewhere else.

However, what Wu Sancai didn't expect was that Qin Shaofeng actually had Dark Guards protecting him, and more importantly, Qin An had appeared.

But giving up was clearly not Wu Sancai's style!

A great battle erupted in the moonlit jungle!

The next day, as soon as the sky began to lighten, Qin Shaofeng got up.

After a night's rest, Qin Shaofeng was full of energy.

At this moment, he naturally had no idea that because of him last night, a fierce battle had broken out in a certain part of the Black Horn Mountain Range.

This battle didn't seem to be over yet!

However, Qin Shaofeng was completely unaware of this before this.

After picking some wild fruits and gnawing on some roasted meat, Qin Shaofeng began today's plan.

His goal today was to level up to Houtian Fourth Level!

To go from Houtian Third Level to Houtian Fourth Level required 3000 experience points. With Qin Shaofeng's current title experience bonus, if he didn't kill monsters above his level, he would probably need to kill over a thousand Demonic Beasts.

This was too troublesome.

So Qin Shaofeng decided to only hunt Demonic Beasts of Intermediate Fourth Level or higher today.

Because of his title, Qin Shaofeng now gained 2 experience points for killing Intermediate Third Level Demonic Beasts, thanks to the System's generosity. In this situation, killing an Intermediate Fourth Level Demonic Beast above his level could yield 8 experience points.

If he killed an Intermediate Fifth Level Demonic Beast, he would get as much as 15 experience points.

At this rate, 3000 experience points wouldn't take too long!

One level per day, this was absolutely feasible!

Clenching his fists, Qin Shaofeng was filled with determination.

Then, Qin Shaofeng entered the territory of a group of Intermediate Fourth Level Demonic Beasts...

"Damn it, that old bastard actually had Qin An, along with his Qin Family's Dark Guards, go to protect that little brat. This is truly detestable!"

In a jungle somewhere in the Black Horn Mountain Range, a person in a black robe was cursing fiercely.

This person's aura was extremely cold, and his tone of voice was even more sinister. He seemed to be enveloped in an aura of death, causing those around him to subconsciously distance themselves.

Needless to say, this person in the black robe was the Black Hand Butcher, Wu Sancai.

In Wu Sancai's own opinion, killing a mere Qin Shaofeng was a task that could be accomplished with ease. Even with the Qin Family's Dark Guards secretly protecting him, it would only require a little more effort.

But Qin An's appearance had caught Wu Sancai somewhat off guard.

Wu Sancai never expected that Qin An, as Old Master Qin's most capable assistant, would personally come to protect Qin Shaofeng.

"A miscalculation!"

A sigh came from beneath the black robe, but it quickly turned into a sinister chuckle.

"Heh heh! Old man Qin, do you really think that with Qin An, your little brat grandson can be safe and sound? Is that even possible? I, the Black Hand Butcher, am not known for nothing. Just wait and regret it! Heh heh..."

With a sinister chuckle, a pale yet sinister face was revealed from under the black robe.

There were also a pair of venomous eyes like a poisonous snake!

Under such circumstances, the Black Hand Gang members around Wu Sancai couldn't help but shiver, and their bodies involuntarily moved further away from Wu Sancai.

"System prompt: Congratulations to the player for reaching the experience requirement for leveling up. Player Qin Shaofeng's level has been raised to Houtian Fourth Level!"

"Hahaha! Leveled up again!"

Following this system prompt, Qin Shaofeng suddenly burst into laughter.

This was completely unexpected, beyond his wildest expectations.

It was only the afternoon, still an hour or two until night.

Qin Shaofeng had already leveled up before the day was even over.

This had already surpassed Qin Shaofeng's goal.

All of this was thanks to the God-grade skill, Little Li Flying Dagger.

Although Little Li Flying Dagger consumed at least 100 points of Inner Qi each time it was activated, when facing a Demonic Beast at the fourth level of the intermediate stage, combined with Fiery Golden Eyes to detect the beast's weaknesses and his insight ability, Qin Shaofeng could almost achieve instant kills.

Of course, the most crucial factor in this was a type of herb Qin Shaofeng had accidentally discovered.

Low-grade Qi Yuan Grass: A mortal-grade one-star herb, usable for refining Qi Replenishing Pills. Direct consumption restores 10 points of Inner Qi!