Going Home

November 16th.

Perhaps because he was home, Su Yi had slept especially soundly last night.

He had returned home at five in the afternoon and slept straight through until eight the next morning.

The full, ample rest made Su Yi feel that he was now at his absolute peak.

"I've reached Third-Rank Peak!"

The difference between Third-Rank High Stage and Third-Rank Peak lay in blood qi, physique, and integration.

Su Yi's physique and blood qi had long since met the standard. What he had lacked before was only a bit of understanding when it came to keeping his force from scattering when he threw a punch.

His Optimization had strengthened his understanding and explosive power with the sword more than anything else. Yet after so many days of actual combat, he had finally thoroughly grasped this aspect as well.

Most combat method techniques shared the same principles. It was simply that the Optimized sword technique suited him too well—when wielding a sword, he could use it as naturally as plucking something from his hand, while his physical understanding still fell a little short.

Su Yi had also read Vajra Fist. Vajra Fist emphasized the unity of body, speech, and intent—in other words, the unity of essence, qi, and spirit. A single punch erupted with immense power, its fist force united as one.

Though he had not cultivated it, the theories within regarding the use of momentum had benefited him immensely.

Now, the sinews, bones, and skin across his entire body had reached Major Achievement, and he could circulate his blood qi as he pleased. Unless someone could pierce his blood qi defenses and shake his Five Viscera and Six Bowels, they could only choose to attack the vital points of his head.

He no longer needed to rely solely on his sword to project his blood qi outward.

"I should still cultivate some fist and leg combat methods. Once I'm Mid Grade, I'll cultivate a High Grade fist technique."

Previously, he had reached Third-Rank High Stage and time had been pressing, so he had not chosen to cultivate them. Now that he was at Third-Rank Peak, however, there was not much need for it.

Su Yi had long since achieved the unity of essence, qi, and spirit.

He could cultivate Tempering Method—Internal Organs Chapter at any time and begin breaking through to Fourth Grade. However, he intended to nurture himself for a few more days, fully adjust his condition, and then make the breakthrough.

After reaching Mid Grade, he could begin cultivating High Grade Combat Methods. With Optimization, Su Yi should be able to master combat methods very quickly.

Name: Su Yi

Realm: Third-Rank Martial Artist

Blood Qi: 1355 cal/1399 cal

Mental Power: 635 Hz/639 Hz

Bone Tempering: 177 pieces (100%), 29 pieces (30%)

Knowledge: Mid Grade Combat Method—Falling Blossom Sword—Major Achievement {Optimization +2}; Mid-Grade Footwork—Cloud Step—Major Achievement {Optimization +2}; Basic Cultivation Method—Tempering Method {Optimization +4}; Horse Stance {Optimization +1}—Void Standing Realm; Basic Fist Technique—Major Achievement;

Basic Leg Technique—Major Achievement; Basic Sword Technique—Major Achievement {Optimization +1};

...

Energy: 465694 points

Damage Status: 20.33%

Not in any hurry to head to school, Su Yi went to the large supermarket in the neighborhood to buy some fruit, snacks, seafood, and other things before heading to Qin Nansheng's home.

Qin Nansheng was still in the Underground Cave. Naturally, Su Yi had not gone there for him, but to visit Aunt Qin, whom he had not seen in a long time.

Aunt Qin was a gentle, virtuous wife and mother. She had taken good care of him over the years, often going to his home to help him clean.

Even though she did not practice martial arts, she regularly took some medicinal pills, so she looked to be only around thirty.

Aunt Qin was somewhat speechless at Su Yi buying so many things, but she did not say anything.

Su Yi was already a martial artist now, an extraordinary figure in society, no longer that timid child from the beginning.

She did not refuse him. Instead, she gently took Su Yi's hand and chatted about everyday matters—like which family's daughter had taken a liking to him.

She urged Su Yi to find a girlfriend soon, and reminded him to be careful when doing missions. Missions could be done anytime; safety was what mattered most.

She did not understand anything about Underground Caves or the like. She only knew that Qin Nansheng and Su Yi often went off to carry out some kind of missions.

She knew about missions. Many neighbors had been brought back because they had died during one, and Su Yi's parents had been the same.

Whenever they went on missions, apart from taking care of Feng Qing at home, she always felt empty inside, terribly worried.

Fortunately, they always returned safely. She did not understand missions or anything of the sort—she only wanted them to be safe.

Three years ago, she had actually tried to persuade Nansheng not to let Su Yi practice martial arts. Wouldn't it be better to live safely and peacefully?

But Qin Nansheng had convinced her. He said that he could not stop a child from pursuing the truth behind his parents' deaths. She had been persuaded, just as she had been persuaded years ago when she tried to stop Nansheng from taking missions.

So they had to stay safe. Sometimes, she even dreamed that Nansheng and Su Yi had both failed their missions and been brought back, while Feng Qing cried that she wanted to get into Magic Martial Academy and become a martial artist too.

She had awakened in terror then. Luckily, it had only been a dream. Dreams were always the opposite of reality—they would surely return safe and sound.

She could not imagine how she would feel if that truly happened, or how Feng Qing would feel. Could she really stop Feng Qing from following the same path as them?

No, no, no!

It was only a dream. They would be fine. They would return safe and sound.

If immortals, gods, Buddha, or God truly existed, then please protect them!

Su Yi had no way of knowing what Aunt Qin was thinking, but he was rather speechless at her urging him to find a girlfriend.

As for him, he had no such plans yet and could only nod perfunctorily.

At least not before becoming a Grandmaster—he had no such plans.

After chatting for quite a while, Qin Fengqing came back from playing. Today was Saturday, so he did not need to go to school. He had gone out to play with the neighbor's children for a while.

The moment he saw the several large bags of snacks, his eyes lit up like stars. With a face full of smiles, he pounced on them.

Aunt Qin smiled helplessly. She usually bought very few snacks, but since Su Yi had bought them, it was a token of his affection.

Once Su Yi left, she would hide the snacks away. Fengqing could only have a little each day. He was still so young, right at the age when he needed to grow.

Mm, she could give him more milk and fruit.

After having lunch at Aunt Qin's place and playing with little Fengqing for a while longer, Su Yi got up to say goodbye. He planned to head to school.

Aunt Qin did not try to keep him. Su Yi was a martial artist now, so naturally he had his own things to do. The newspapers and news had been flooded with reports about him before, and she had been delighted.

She had even taken the reports to show Su Yi's parents, burning a thick stack of newspapers for them. It should keep them happy down below for quite some time.

Logistics Department.

Chen Bo'an was listening to a little tune on the radio. There had been no major activity in the Underground Cave lately, and he had not gone down there for quite a while either.

Today, he was in the rare mood to listen to some music, humming along with a few lines now and then.

When he saw Su Yi arrive, Chen Bo'an smiled amiably. "What are you looking to exchange this time?"

He knew Su Yi had received 10,000 Credit Points before. The kid was loaded now.

The matter of the Tempering Method had shocked him for several days. The little fellow had disappeared for a while, only to stir up something this huge.

"Teacher Chen, I want to commission a sword."

Su Yi did not beat around the bush and said it directly.

"A sword? Didn't Qin Nansheng have a C-Grade Alloy one made for you before? What, did you lose it?"

He had heard that Su Yi had gone down into the Underground Cave. It looked like he had lost it during a fight.

Otherwise, why would he need a replacement? Most Third-Rank martial artists used D- or E-Grade Alloy weapons. C-Grade Alloy weapons were generally used by Fourth- or Fifth-Grade martial artists.

"No."

"If you didn't lose it, why commission another one? You have no use for B-Grade, and having lots of Credit Points doesn't mean you should waste them like this."

Chen Bo'an frowned slightly. Had this kid gotten carried away? Even wasting resources had to have limits.

He was only Third Rank, yet he already planned to commission a B-Grade Alloy weapon? After buying pills, those 10,000 Credit Points would leave him with 8,000. A B-Grade weapon would cost at least one or two thousand Credit Points.

If he also exchanged for inner armor and the like, would he have enough left to cultivate?

If he were Fourth Rank, Chen Bo'an would not say anything. Hm? Chen Bo'an carefully sized Su Yi up. Third-Rank Peak?

What a fast cultivation speed. At Third-Rank Peak, one's muscles, bones, skin, and Blood Qi all had to be nurtured to their peaks.

How long had it even been since Su Yi entered the Third-Rank High Stage?

"Teacher, I can break through to Fourth Rank at any time."

To dispel Chen Bo'an's concerns, Su Yi directly unleashed his aura.

He was not angered by Chen Bo'an trying to stop him. If it were not out of concern, who would bother with him? Exchange whatever you wanted; once you used up all your resources, you could figure out a way yourself.

He had understood that principle long ago.

Essence, Qi, and spirit as one?

Chen Bo'an was somewhat surprised. He had not heard that Su Yi had taken the invincible path of Third Rank.

Hadn't he been in the Underground Cave this whole time?

Could it be that his essence, Qi, and spirit had been forged after the great victory in the Underground Cave?

That was quite possible too, Chen Bo'an thought. Other than that, he could not think of any fitting explanation.

Since Su Yi could break through to Fourth Rank at any time, then so be it—a B-Grade weapon would do. Su Yi should have gained something from this trip into the Underground Cave as well.

"Fine. What style do you want? Any requirements?"

"Something plain-looking. The sword should be 1.1 meters long. Anything else is fine."

It was not a Divine Weapon anyway, so Su Yi did not care too much. There was no need for a name or anything. Then, recalling Chen Bo'an's mention of B-Grade weapons, he hurriedly added, "Teacher, I want an A-Grade Alloy weapon."

A B-Grade weapon would not last him very long. He might as well exchange for an A-Grade Alloy weapon and settle it in one step.

The next time he changed weapons, it would be for a Divine Weapon.

"Cough, cough... cough..."

Chen Bo'an nearly choked to death. An A-Grade Alloy weapon? Even he only used an A-Grade one.

Su Yi would not need one even after breaking through to Fourth Rank.

"An A-Grade weapon? Aren't you afraid of getting robbed the moment you step outside? Let me warn you: if you carry an A-Grade Alloy weapon into the Underground Cave, Fifth- or Sixth-Grade martial artists will definitely set their sights on you and hunt you down.

Even Seventh Grade isn't out of the question."

No one knew how many Grandmasters were still using A-grade alloy weapons; they were simply stronger after being nurtured over time.

"Teacher, I just want to get it done in one step. Don't worry, I won't take it out unless it's absolutely necessary."

Su Yi did not show off his battle record, merely offering an explanation.

Chen Bo'an looked at him helplessly. Forget it—he had been down into the Underground Cave before, so he should know his limits.

"An A-grade alloy weapon, 1.1 meters long, right? Two hundred Credit Points per kilogram. You'd better think this through."

"I've thought it through. Also custom-make a pair of A-grade alloy boots. Give me ten each of Life-Returning Pills, Eleven Pills, Body-Tempering Pills, and Organ Protection Pills."

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