Young and full of vigor, Qin Dongcheng was naturally drawn to beautiful women.
How could he never have imagined holding a soft, fragrant beauty in his arms? Especially as his status rose higher and higher, and his cultivation grew stronger and stronger.
The Blood Qi coursing through his body alone was enough to stir up thoughts unfit for young ears from time to time.
But whenever he thought of the harsh reality of this world, and the Herb Field laborers who had died right before his eyes, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head, leaving him unable to entertain any other thoughts.
In particular, after crossing over, he had seen corpse after corpse tossed carelessly into roadside ditches on the journey from the Qin Family to the Five Elements Sect. The sight had chilled him to the bone.
Even though this was a transcendent world, that did nothing to change the fact that it was a chaotic age. Demons and Ghosts were wreaking havoc, too.
Even Luo Cloud Prefecture, widely acknowledged as a peaceful place, was already in this state. The other prefectures nearby were bound to be worse.
Without enough strength, the miserable fate awaiting him was all but certain.
He was only a cultivator in the second realm of martial arts, still at the bottom of the Martial Artist ranks. The Heaven Rewards Diligence System had only just begun showing its power, and if his unusual circumstances were exposed, he would be devoured without even a bone left in minutes.
So, for the sake of safety, it was best to keep a low profile and quietly amass wealth, hiding his special abilities as much as possible.
If he grew close to someone, how could they fail to notice something was off? The occasional critical-hit rewards were the biggest risk of all.
Even if herbs, pills, and the like could be hidden in Diligence Space, what about rewards like increases to his cultivation? How could he hide those?
One or two times might be fine, but after three or four, even a fool would know something was wrong.
And critical-hit rewards from alchemy and medicine-making would leave traces, too, making it easy for others to notice something amiss.
So it was best to cultivate and live alone. That way, he would be less likely to expose himself. Once he had enough strength, what kind of peerless beauty couldn't he find? Why settle now for some village flower, town flower, or county flower?
Once he had enough strength, he could hold a beauty pageant across the world and choose the prettiest, most alluring, most pure, cutest, and most refined women on the Central Origin Continent... A few of each kind.
What was wrong with having three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines?
In this extraordinary world, where personal power reigned supreme, not only men but even women could build harems.
Only a fool would trade future happiness for a moment's pleasure.
So he'd keep a low profile, quietly amass wealth, and carry on alone. It was just fine that way. Thinking too much wasn't good.
Keep a low profile!
Keep your head down!
But don't let anyone push you around!
After moving, he treated his old companions to a lavish meal, and then they each went their separate ways.
Later, once the precious herbs were ready for harvest, Qin Dongcheng would go help gather them. A little effort could bring him substantial critical-hit rewards, and he couldn't pass up an opportunity like that.
He also needed to find a way to get to know the stewards in charge of more precious Herb Fields. Then he could harvest valuable herbs from more places.
Before, he'd only been a Herb Field laborer, and many stewards wouldn't necessarily do him any favors. But things were different now. He was an Official Disciple and an Alchemy Apprentice, so there were many things he could do.
After becoming an Official Disciple, in addition to better treatment, Qin Dongcheng could choose one cultivation method, combat skill, or secret art from the Five Elements Library. He could pick whichever he wanted, as long as it wasn't too precious.
The next day, Qin Dongcheng went to the Five Elements Library. After looking around, he chose a Top-Tier Battle Technique.
Phantom Movement Technique!
It was difficult to learn and master, but its power was astonishing. That was the only reason it was available for Official Disciples to choose. Otherwise, obtaining a Top-Tier Battle Technique would have been far too difficult.
Ever since obtaining the Heaven Concealment Art, Qin Dongcheng had searched for other hidden gems like it many times. Unfortunately, he'd never found anything worthwhile.
This time, though, he'd struck gold: he'd obtained another Top-Tier Battle Technique, and it was exactly the movement technique he needed most.
Although the Mount Tai Body Strengthening Fist and Diamond Skin Refining Fist both included related footwork and movement techniques, and Mountain Rotation was a dedicated footwork technique, they were all meant to complement their respective fists. When it came to escaping and staying alive, they naturally couldn't compare to a dedicated movement or footwork skill.
The Phantom Movement Technique was a dedicated movement skill, divided into nine levels. With each level mastered, he could form one illusion. At the ninth level, he could form nine illusions, leaving his enemies unable to guard against him.
It was remarkably effective for both attacking and escaping, and it could also be used alongside the Mount Tai Body Strengthening Fist and Diamond Skin Refining Fist. Its power was quite impressive.
After thinking it over for a long time and weighing his options again and again, Qin Dongcheng finally chose the Phantom Movement Technique.
This opportunity was rare. If he wanted to obtain another combat skill or secret art of this caliber, it would cost a hefty amount of Sect Contribution and require years of saving. He couldn't let this chance slip by.
At least for a long time to come, he wouldn't need to change his movement technique.
As for the Heaven Concealment Art, he was getting closer and closer to comprehending it fully. Once he did, reaching the entry level wouldn't be difficult.
The Phantom Movement Technique was far less difficult than the Heaven Concealment Art, so it shouldn't take him long to comprehend and practice it.
The days that followed grew ever busier for Qin Dongcheng. He practiced the Diamond Skin Refining Fist, studied the Heaven Concealment Art, studied the Phantom Movement Technique, practiced Alchemy, and occasionally went to gather herbs... He was constantly occupied, without a moment's rest.
His somewhat restless mood gradually settled down, too.
Meanwhile, Luo Cloud Prefecture fell into ever greater turmoil. More and more Demons and Ghosts invaded from other prefectures, and countless commoners were displaced, fleeing for their lives toward the Five Elements Mountain Range.
This made the nearby Black Markets flourish. Every day, many exceptionally beautiful young women appeared for sale. As long as you had money, you could marry one and bring her home, or buy one as a servant.
Their prices kept dropping. With Qin Dongcheng's income, he could buy a pretty girl in the bloom of youth after just a few days. In his previous life, it would have been unimaginable.
And he didn't have to worry in the slightest about anything like those Laotian brides running away. If a woman dared to flee, he could simply beat her to death; even the Five Elements Sect supported this.
Whenever he visited the Bamboo Forest Black Market and saw those charming, captivating young women, Qin Dongcheng couldn't help but feel a stirring of desire. But each time, he managed to restrain himself.
Mr. Lu Xun once said, "Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form; beneath rosy cheeks lies a skull." One must never lose oneself in such things, or a bed of roses will become a hero's grave.
Amid all his busyness, his harvest grew larger and larger. Fortunately, after he broke through to the Skin Phase Realm, Diligence Space expanded dramatically once more, reaching twenty cubic meters—more than enough to hold everything he had gained.
He hid anything of value in Diligence Space to keep it from being stolen.
He didn't want to end up like Wang Kun, whose treasured map was dug up after his death.
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