Night Visit to the Feng Family, Learning the Secret Martial Art

Mu Ye exhaled softly.

Right now, if he wanted to continue improving, he had no choice but to find a Divine Aperture Secret Martial Art that cultivated the torso.

Alternatively, he could specialize in various weapons, such as sword techniques, blade techniques, staff techniques, and so on.

Divine Aperture Secret Martial Arts for weapons could open additional apertures in the limbs or strengthen the power of already opened apertures.

Cultivating multiple secret martial arts would make the divine apertures stronger, thereby enhancing all aspects of the body.

However, the trouble was that multiple secret martial arts were very prone to conflict.

Because the cultivation methods for different secret martial arts were all highly unique, the vast majority of martial artists had limited aptitude. Their constitutions could not support the cultivation of multiple secret martial arts, and the end result was that the various powers would mix and clash within the body, eventually leading to their demise.

For example, with the Crimson Flame Fist, if one were to learn a secret martial art like the Frost Blade Technique for the arms, they would conflict.

Yet, some people possessed extraordinary aptitude and unique constitutions, allowing them to accommodate multiple secret martial arts.

The potential of these people was often higher, but they were, after all, in the minority.

"After the tenth level, the Crimson Flame Force and Vajra Force have reached their limit."

The Crimson Flame Force was the fist force that came with the Crimson Flame Fist; Mu Ye had comprehended it at the fifth level.

Once perfected, the Crimson Flame Force, having reached its limit, would transform into Crimson Flame Qi. If one reached the fourth rank, with abundant divine apertures in the body, the qi could be projected outside the body.

This close-range Crimson Flame Fist could then transform into a long-range Crimson Flame Fist Qi.

The projection of qi was the hallmark of the fourth rank.

For martial artists below the fourth rank, it was almost a suppressive level of combat power.

Previously, when Shen Qingchan saw the Demon Sealer unleash the Geng Metal Grass-Cutting Sword, she assumed he was a fourth-ranker.

In reality, that was just a minor spell.

From this, one could see that spells from the world of cultivation could reach a level that crushed secret martial arts.

"If that set of Green Peak Needles could be brought into the game, I could probably kill fourth or fifth-rankers with ease..."

Mu Ye shrugged.

In truth, once a martial artist reached the fourth rank, their combat power became quite significant.

Using overly low-level spells would not provide much of an advantage.

Of course, fourth-rank experts were not common... they could be counted on one's fingers in Taiping City; Mu Ye hadn't even heard of more than a few.

Even third-rankers were extremely rare.

These days, because my proficiency in the game has been rising rapidly, I've simply been practicing the Object Manipulation Technique more in reality, working on that set of Green Peak Needles.

I suppose I've made some slight progress.

"Calculating the time, that side quest at the Shen Mansion is coming up in half a month."

Feng Wuque of the Feng family has broken through to the third rank at a young age and is throwing a grand banquet, inviting many local gentry and powerful clans in Taiping City.

It has already spread throughout Taiping City.

It is said that Feng Wuque intends to hold the banquet to discuss martial arts and expand the Feng family's reputation—at least, that's what it looks like on the surface.

Behind the scenes, Mu Ye suspects there must be other motives.

"There's nothing much to practice right now; why not go and scout the Feng family first?"

A thought stirred in Mu Ye's mind.

He had been practicing martial arts these days, and for his other characters, only the Demon Sealer had made a trip to the Shen Mansion to report on the status of the mission concerning Shen Qingchan.

Action follows thought. Mu Ye logged off, switched to the Thief, and once night fell, he dashed straight toward the Feng family estate.

The Feng family residence was slightly smaller than the Shen Mansion, which made it easy to see why the Shen Mansion would be targeted.

It was just too wealthy.

It originally had that Hero Shen holding down the fort, but after Shen Tianxing died, naturally, everyone wanted a piece of the pie.

However, to Mu Ye's surprise, the guards of the Feng family were far stricter than those of the Shen Mansion or the Iron Leg Sect.

Every part of the estate was heavily guarded, with armored soldiers patrolling back and forth. There were absolutely no blind spots; even the dog holes were guarded by soldiers.

These soldiers had clearly opened their Divine Apertures; they were not ordinary martial artists, but at least first-rank martial masters.

No matter where one tried to infiltrate the Feng family, they would be discovered. Even if disguised as a servant, one would be questioned upon entering or leaving the estate, and the slightest discrepancy would lead to an arrest.

"The Feng family comes from a military background; the estate is too tightly guarded..."

Mu Ye thought to himself.

It was airtight.

The more it was like this, the more Mu Ye wanted to sneak inside and take a look.

There was definitely something fishy going on.

"It's a pity. If I could learn the Five Elements Evasion Technique, then in reality mode, no matter how strict the Feng family's defenses are, it would be useless."

With the Five Elements Evasion Technique combined with the Thief's lightness skills, along with his lock-picking abilities, he could strip the Feng family bare.

Of course, that was just wishful thinking.

The Five Elements Evasion Technique was no ordinary spell; for someone in the Qi Refining stage, learning it was harder than ascending to the heavens.

"No Five Elements Evasion Technique... but I do have Light Body Technique."

Light Body Technique was a low-level spell that could make the body as light as a willow catkin. It was the go-to choice for cultivators who lacked flying artifacts when traveling.

"Let's give it a try..."

Mu Ye entered Reality Mode and cast Light Body Technique on himself.

With his strength at the third rank, his physical constitution had already reached a new level. Once he added the Light Body Technique, he felt as if his body had lost all weight.

Combined with the Thief's lightness skill, Mu Ye drifted forward, slipping into the Feng residence without making a sound.

"Did you feel a cold breeze just now?"

"What cold breeze? Have you gone senile from standing guard?"

"Hmm... maybe I am a bit muddled... The grand banquet is in a few days, and the General said that some scoundrels are bound to cause trouble for the Feng family during this time... We should still be careful..."

The two guards muttered a few words, never noticing the gentle breeze that had brushed past them.

"It actually works..."

Mu Ye slipped into the shadows, his heart pounding. He slowly calmed himself down.

In Reality Mode, one had to be careful about everything.

Under the effect of Light Body Technique, the Thief's lightness skill was pushed to its limit. As he moved, he was nothing more than a wisp of breeze.

Even a third-rank expert of the same level would be unable to detect a single trace of him.

"I don't need to scout the entire Feng residence; I'll just see as much as I can..."

Mu Ye carefully navigated the darkness, using Light Body Technique to bypass the patrolling guards. Before long, he spotted a rather distinctive room.

"Xiyu Pavilion."

Mu Ye's ears twitched. He crouched on the roof, moving without making a sound.

A strange sound drifted up, one that felt vaguely familiar.

"Brother Feng... please, spare me..."

"..."

Mu Ye recognized it; that was the voice of Tie Wuhua from the Iron Leg Sect.

"Colluding like thieves..."

Mu Ye imagined a full-blown action blockbuster in his head.

"That is not how you use the Vajra Leg."

"..." Mu Ye.

A few moments later.

Mu Ye calculated the time; it hadn't even been the duration of an incense stick.

Truly pathetic.

"Brother Feng, you promised me. When will you let us see the Divine Aperture Secret Martial Art Map for your Feng family's Wind King Leg..."

"Heh, no rush. The Wind King Leg is my Feng family's unique art... Your Iron Leg Sect hasn't shown enough sincerity to learn it yet..."

"Still not enough? Then what else do you want..."

"Simple... In a few days, there will be a grand banquet. At that time, I need you to first do this..."

A few hushed whispers followed. Mu Ye couldn't hear them clearly; it sounded like they were speaking mouth-to-ear.

Wind King Leg, the secret martial art of the Feng family...

Mu Ye's heart stirred.

It seems this Iron Leg Sect is defecting to the Feng family to climb even higher.

"My Feng family has many secret martial arts. Rest assured, since your Iron Leg Sect has defected to us, your future will naturally be bright..."

"After the grand banquet, the entire Taiping City will belong to my Feng family. We will be the kings of this place."

Amidst the slapping sounds, there was a mix of hurried, gasping, and satisfied laughter.

Mu Ye rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment before slowly drifting away from the room. After cautiously scouting a few more rooms and finding nothing, he intended to leave.

"Huh, this pavilion..."

Mu Ye looked at the building in front of him. "Dengtian Pavilion."

The name was a bit too arrogant.

My intuition tells me that it should be very dangerous inside...

Mu Ye mused, but having gained nothing so far, leaving now would be a waste of the trip.

If he died, he died; it would just mean he wasted his time today.

However, once discovered, the guards at the Feng Estate would likely be even more vigilant the next time he returned. In Real Mode, the dynamic calculations of the entire game world were far closer to reality.

It was no exaggeration to call it another real world; it was just that many aspects had been gamified.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Mu Ye decided to go in and give it a try.

After observing for a while, he noticed only one window left slightly ajar for ventilation, with two guards patrolling back and forth right beside it.

Mu Ye leaped lightly, drifting inside like a gentle breeze.

The pavilion was resplendent, divided into three floors, and housed countless books of all kinds. Every corridor in the pavilion was patrolled by guards.

Yet, even these patrols had gaps.

Relying on his Light Body Technique and the movement skills of a Thief, Mu Ye moved like a phantom, darting through the various corridors of the pavilion as if no one were there.

Before long.

[You have discovered the Divine Aperture Secret Martial Art: Ten Thousand Poison Palm]

[You have discovered the Divine Aperture Secret Martial Art: Entangling Silk Hand]

[You have discovered the Divine Aperture Secret Martial Art: Cloud Dragon Art]

[You have discovered the rare book: Jade Water Heaven Song]

[You...]

This must be the scripture library of the Feng Estate...

Mu Ye sighed inwardly. The library held ten thousand volumes, and many of the sealed scrolls contained hidden Divine Aperture Secret Martial Art Maps.

However, most of them were ordinary Divine Aperture Secret Martial Arts, even inferior to the Crimson Flame Fist.

Of course, there were powerful ones as well, such as the Entangling Silk Hand, which was the secret martial art Shen Qingchan had mentioned—the same one used to ambush him in Chishui Village.

As expected of a noble family of the dynasty... This foundation is truly incomparable to ordinary family martial arts schools...

Only those renowned sects could likely surpass this.

Walking to the second floor, the number of guards actually decreased, which provided Mu Ye with great convenience.

Furthermore, while there were very few Divine Aperture Secret Martial Arts on the second floor, those that were present were already on par with the Crimson Flame Fist and the Vajra Leg.

It's a pity, there are still no secret martial arts for training the torso. What a shame.

Huh, a treasure chest!

Suddenly, Mu Ye's eyes sharpened. Tucked away in a mezzanine, he spotted a strangely decorated treasure chest.

"Open the treasure chest!"

Mu Ye felt a surge of joy. While remaining vigilant, he began to employ the lock-picking skills of a Thief.

The lock on this treasure chest was quite unique, but for a Thief, picking a lock was merely a progress bar; it just required a little time.

In less than fifteen minutes, with a soft click, the treasure chest opened.

A Divine Aperture Chart emitting a faint glow and a fragrant fruit lay quietly inside.

[You have discovered the Divine Aperture Secret Martial Art: Wind King Leg.]

[You have discovered a heaven-sent treasure: Wind Spirit Fruit.]

"Got it!"

Mu Ye's eyes lit up. Wind King Leg—was this the unique secret martial art of the Feng family?

A secret martial art one grade higher than Vajra Leg!

Mu Ye carefully studied the Divine Aperture Chart, and before long, a notification appeared.

[You have learned the secret martial art: Wind King Leg.]

A smile curled at the corners of Mu Ye's mouth. A Feng family secret martial art?

Sorry, but it's mine now.

"Time to go..."

Mu Ye took the fruit, left a mark, and prepared to depart.

A low, eerie laugh echoed through the air:

"Young friend, what impressive movement technique. I never expected you to arrive here without me even noticing..."