The Mystery of the Destiny System and the Secret Artifact White Jade Mask

After Yang Ning's match, the martial bouts on the arena floor continued, featuring two new Wood-Rank Fighters.

But whether in terms of vitality or fist techniques, they were far from matching the brilliance of the earlier duel between the Through-Arm Fist and the Tiger Soul Fist.

"After watching that Wood-Rank Fighter who used the Tiger Soul Fist, I thought the batch of newcomers under you, Brother Gong, would be enough to shock me."

"Now it seems that 'Wood Seventy-Nine' from just a moment ago was merely an unexpected surprise. He deserves a reward, he truly does!"

High above the Martial Arena, in a prestigious private box.

A man in brocade robes handed down a reward for Yang Ning, then looked at the uninteresting fight below and tilted his head to speak to the man beside him.

As the owner of the East Third Street Martial Arena, Gong Tian smiled faintly:

"Brother Qin, you jest."

"Although this East Street is full of hidden talents, the martial arts geniuses are basically all accounted for by the various families."

"They are either being groomed for greatness or hold high positions. Few are willing to come to my place to risk their lives for a bit of pocket change."

"The appearance of this one, however, was quite unexpected even to me."

"Then it seems you have truly taken a fancy to this 'good seedling' and are preparing to make a move?"

"Hmm, this newcomer's 'Tiger Soul Fist' was quite pleasing to the eye, and he is young—he counts as a minor genius."

"I don't mind giving him a push, but as for what happens later, that depends on his own fortune."

"Oh? Since when does someone in the eyes of 'Bright Jade Hand' Gong Tian, here in the Outer City's East Street, dare to be called a genius?"

"Who doesn't know that when you were young, you swept through seven gangs and four sects with your bare fists? Why have you become so humble over the years?"

"Brother Qin, you jest. That was merely the arrogance of youth. Only after truly seeing and experiencing the world does one realize that there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens."

After Gong Tian finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the table and took a light sip, as if drinking away all the arrogance of his youth in one gulp.

"Let's not talk about that. Aside from that last duel, today has been incredibly boring."

"Since I've gone to the trouble of coming all the way from South Second Street, you, the boss of this Martial Arena, must properly fulfill your duties as a host."

"Of course, of course. Since Brother Qin has gone to such lengths to visit, I will certainly treat you well."

"I invite Brother Qin to meet at Jinghua Pavilion on East Street. As for the protection of your family's properties on East Street, we can discuss that in detail there."

Sitting in the empty settlement area, Yang Ning closed his eyes to rest, soothing the surging vitality within his body. At the same time, he carefully recalled the details of the recent battle.

This was his first time fighting someone head-on since arriving in this world, and he had emerged victorious.

In the battle just now, facing that Through-Arm fighter from the Dragon Bone Barrier, he had suppressed his vitality to a level between the Dragon Bone Barrier and the Blood Garment Barrier.

With his body's fierce strength, he hadn't suffered any significant damage from the poorly mastered Through-Arm Fist.

And...

Thinking of this, Yang Ning opened his eyes and examined his physique; the vitality he had consumed and the minor injuries from the Through-Arm Fist had already recovered.

Over these past few days, he had begun to grasp another mystery of his "Destiny System".

If "Heaven Rewards Diligence" was the greatest overt assistant to his martial progress, then "Destined Martial Saint" was like a silent, omnipresent force—a hidden pusher behind his growing strength.

Whether it was absorbing medicine, suppressing artifacts, recovering from injuries, his astonishing vitality and stamina, or various other aspects, Yang Ning could feel the underlying mystery in every detail.

With a thought, Yang Ning began to check his gains after the great battle.

[Yang Ning]

[Destiny: Destined Martial Saint, Heaven Rewards Diligence]

[Realm: Body Tempering]

[Technique: Tiger Soul Fist (Tendon Changing 143/1000)]

Looking at the pleasing progress of the Tiger Soul Fist, Yang Ning couldn't help but nod slightly.

It turned out that it wasn't just about diligent practice; using the Tiger Soul Fist in actual combat was also counted as training, and the experience points were climbing steadily.

"In that case, coming to this Martial Arena was the right choice."

"I can earn silver, hone my martial arts, and increase my practical combat experience all at once."

After checking his martial arts progress, Yang Ning slowly took out the strange "White Jade Mask" he wore.

This magnificent white jade mask was the "man-eating beast" that Steward Liu had spoken of, filled with malicious interference that had caused many martial artists to lose their lives in the arena.

Yet, when it encountered him, it was overwhelmingly subdued by his powerful destiny, becoming docile and well-behaved.

It wasn't that Yang Ning hadn't encountered similar supernatural objects before.

For instance, back when he was at the porter station, he had heard Old Wu say:

The porter station's warehouse had a cart made of locust wood that sounded like a neighing horse whenever it was pulled.

No matter how heavy the cargo was, the person pulling it would move as if flying, like a galloping steed.

However, if used for a long time without rest, one would lose their sanity and become dull-witted. Thus, it had always been sealed away and never used.

But this miraculous object was not entirely terrifying.

His brother had told him that a steward in the inner courtyard of the Hundred Herb Hall possessed a Medicine Shovel.

Any herb dug up by this Medicine Shovel could retain its medicinal properties to a great extent; even without careful preservation, it would remain as vibrant as if it had just been picked for days and nights on end.

However, after each use, it had to be soaked in the user's blood; otherwise, it would drain blood on its own.

Such an implement is known as a... Secret Artifact.

And based on his observations, the White Jade Mask in Yang Ning's hands was likely not some ominous object that brought bad luck, but an unknown "Secret Artifact"!

He placed the White Jade Mask back onto his face, and that cool sensation emerged once more, invigorating his spirit, sharpening his five senses, and instantly clearing his mind of distracting thoughts.

This is exactly the feeling!

Yang Ning thought to himself.

Just now, during that battle, the greatest help this tamed Secret Artifact had provided him was this clear-headedness and the cooling sensation that heightened his perception.

It allowed him to remain calm and focused while facing his opponent, unaffected by the external environment of the Martial Arena.

Just as he was sensing this first "Secret Artifact" he had obtained in his life, a figure arrived belatedly.

"Brother Yang likes this White Jade Mask?"

Steward Liu brought a parcel and some paper and a brush to Yang Ning, his face full of smiles.

"Yes, I like it. Can the Martial Arena give it to me?"

Steward Liu choked, then smiled gently:

"Of course, no problem. This White Jade Mask has been idle for many years and has finally found a worthy master in Brother Yang; I am happy for it as well."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he felt a gust of cold wind pass by, but Yang Ning merely stroked the mask, and the next moment, the wind calmed and the malice vanished into thin air.

Steward Liu shivered from the wind and looked around, but finding nothing unusual, he didn't think much of it and presented the paper and brush.

"Brother Yang has successfully completed his 'trial,' so our Martial Arena officially presents you with the Bronze-Rank Fighter Contract. From now on, your base pay for every martial bout is twenty taels, and you receive eighty percent of the tips!

This is already the highest-tier contract in the arena. Someone of importance in our arena thinks highly of Brother Yang, so please keep up the good work!"

Yang Ning glanced roughly at the contract; it was indeed much more generous than the previous one, so he didn't stand on ceremony and signed his name.

Seeing Yang Ning sign, Steward Liu let out a long sigh of relief.

With the task assigned by his superiors now accomplished, he couldn't help but say in a relaxed tone:

"Brother Yang, you and I are colleagues from now on. I will be the one communicating with you regarding arena matters, so please take care of me."

"Not at all, please take care of me as well, Brother Liu."

"You're too kind, you're too kind."

Hearing the change in how Yang Ning addressed him, the short, stout man smiled slightly and pushed the money bag in his hand forward.

"Here is Brother Yang's income for today:

Base pay of ten taels of silver, fifteen taels of silver for the trial reward, and tips totaling ten... ten taels of gold!"

"Oh?"

"Brother Yang is quite lucky to have encountered such a generous patron on your first outing!"

Yang Ning couldn't help but be startled; ten taels of gold were worth over a hundred taels of silver, and perhaps even more on the black market.